You are here:

Sir David Amess posthumously honoured for outstanding services to animal welfare

Published on

Updated:

We present his former office manager with Lord Houghton award

We have posthumously awarded the 2022 Lord Houghton Award for outstanding services to animal welfare to Sir David Amess MP, for his commitment to accelerating the transition to animal-free research and testing.

Photo credit Matt Alexander / PA Media.
Photo credit Matt Alexander / PA Media.

Sir David was Conservative MP for Southend West for 24 years until his tragic murder on 15 October 2021. His work was integral in helping to bring attention to the plight of animals in laboratories for which he was named our MP of the Month in May 2016.

The Lord Houghton Award was initiated in 1980 as a lasting recognition of the significant contribution made by Lord Houghton of Sowerby to the animal welfare movement. 

Along with Animal Defenders International, the League Against Cruel Sports and One Kind, we alternate in presenting the annual award. Previous winners include Ricky Gervais, Linda McCartney and our ambassador, Vanessa Mae.

Our CEO, Michelle Thew said: “Sir David was passionate about animal welfare and worked with Cruelty Free International on a number of issues over the years, including hosting a parliamentary event which called for an end to the secrecy surrounding animal experiments.

“He was a true champion of the cause and deserves to be recognised for a lifetime of service to the protection of animals.”

Our Director of Government & Regulatory Affairs, Kerry Postlewhite, and Director of Sustainable Business Programmes, Claire Fletcher, presented the award to Sir David’s House of Commons Office Manager, at Portcullis House in Westminster, London.