Tributes have poured in from across south west London for Labour MP Jo Cox who was tragically killed in her constituency yesterday.
The MP for Batley and Spen was shot after holding her constituency surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire on Thursday.
Her attacker, named locally as 52-year-old Tommy Mair, is reported to have shouted “put Britain first” multiple times during the attack.
New London mayor Sadiq Khan led tributes to the 41-year-old mother and wife.
Shocked to hear terrible news about brilliant MP and friend Jo Cox. Thinking of her and praying for her and family.
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) June 16, 2016
Heart-felt messages flooded in from all political parties, including Labour’s Rosena Allin-Khan, the Green Party’s Esther Obiri-Darko and Conservative MP Jane Ellison.
Shocking news. Thoughts and prayers with Jo Cox and her family.
— Dr Rosena Allin-Khan (@DrRosena) June 16, 2016
Dr Allin-Khan declined to make a victory speech after wining the Tooting by-election last night and instead chose to honour Mrs Cox.
She said: “My thoughts and prayers are with Jo’s husband and her children. She was a proud and passionate campaigner who will be desperately missed.
“Jo’s democracy reminds us that our democracy is precious but fragile. We must never forget to cherish it.
“Thousands of people voted today and we are all in here in recognition of our democratic values.”
Ms Obiri-Darko, who was the Green Party’s candidate for the Tooting by-election, said: “The dreadful events that took place in Yorkshire remind us all that, as Jo Cox herself once said, there are more things in life that unite us, than divide us.
“So many of us who enter politics do so hoping to make the world a better, safer and happier place.”
My thoughts are with Jo's family &friends tonight. She served her community &championed those whose voices were rarely heard. Rest in peace.
— Esther Obiri-Darko (@GreenTooting) June 16, 2016
#JoCoxMP has been trending on Twitter since the incident as thousands used the social media site to pay their tributes and express their condolences to Jo’s family.
Jo Cox did so much for others in her life, her tragic death is heartbreaking. This is an awful, dark day, for her poor family above all.
— Jane Ellison (@JaneEllison) June 16, 2016
Devastating and utterly senseless. Jo was brilliant, kind and wonderful. Prayers and love to Brendan, her family, staff and friends. RIP Jo
— ChukaUmunna (@ChukaUmunna) June 16, 2016
Shocked and appalled to hear about Jo Cox. All my thoughts with Jo and her family.
— Zac Goldsmith (@ZacGoldsmith) June 16, 2016
Utterly devastating news. So hard to take in. All my thoughts for Jo's family and two small children.
— Zac Goldsmith (@ZacGoldsmith) June 16, 2016
Totally shocked at news reports that Jo Cox MP has been attacked and critically injured. My thoughts with her and her family.
— Justine Greening (@JustineGreening) June 16, 2016
Jo Cox will be missed so, so much by both Parliament & international development community. Awful news & my thoughts are with her family.
— Justine Greening (@JustineGreening) June 16, 2016
Dear Jo, I'm so very very sorry. Heart broken for you and your beautiful family xx
— Steve Reed (@SteveReedMP) June 16, 2016
Truly awful news about the death Jo Cox. She was a steadfast campaigner for her community. My thoughts are with her family
— Chris Philp (@CPhilpOfficial) June 16, 2016
Let's home tomorrow brings better news than today. Jo's family, friends & staff in my prayers tonight
— Gavin Barwell (@GavinBarwell) June 16, 2016
Incredibly sad news re Jo Cox. She had made a real impact in a very short period. She was talented and committed. One of the best.
— Tom Brake (@thomasbrake) June 16, 2016
Deeply Shocked by the attack on Jo Cox MP. Thoughts & prayers with Jo and her family.
— Victoria Borwick (@backborwick) June 16, 2016
Please offer my sincere condolences to the family of Jo Cox
— Victoria Borwick (@backborwick) June 16, 2016
In light of the news, some MPs decided to stand united and made it clear they will still be going ahead with their surgeries today.
My surgery goes ahead today as planned. Thanks to @Metro_Bank for hosting. And to @MPSHammFul for police presence to reassure the public.
— Greg Hands (@GregHands) June 17, 2016
#JoCoxRIP MPs must be in the community meeting constituents. British democracy is precious. I will be at my regular MP surgery this morning.
— Dr Tania Mathias (@tania_mathias) June 17, 2016
Featured image courtesy of Mitcham & Morden Lab via Twitter, with thanks
