Sir David Amess MP suspected his alleged killer was there for a sting in the moments before he was stabbed, a court has heard.
Mr Ali told police "he knew straight away something was up", the trial heard.
His police interviews, seven in total, were played to the jury.
In one he told officers: "Sat down with him. He was quick, but I think he knew straight away something was up.
"Well, it looked awkward 'cos I was holding my phone, ready to send off, like, a bunch of messages to let my family know what was up.
"Then he must've thought that it was a sting from the Labour Party, because he said to me, 'Oh, you must be very politically inclined. You're from the Labour Party, you're not recording me are you?'
"Because... Brass Eye, they did a thing on him, like, 14 years ago."
He claimed it was "one of the strangest days...of my life".
David Amess killing: Suspect said MP suspected 'sting', court told
Mr Ali told police "he knew straight away something was up", the trial heard.
His police interviews, seven in total, were played to the jury.
In one he told officers: "Sat down with him. He was quick, but I think he knew straight away something was up.
"Well, it looked awkward 'cos I was holding my phone, ready to send off, like, a bunch of messages to let my family know what was up.
"Then he must've thought that it was a sting from the Labour Party, because he said to me, 'Oh, you must be very politically inclined. You're from the Labour Party, you're not recording me are you?'
"Because... Brass Eye, they did a thing on him, like, 14 years ago."
He claimed it was "one of the strangest days...of my life".
David Amess killing: Suspect said MP suspected 'sting', court told
