Westminster In Shock At MP's 'Horrific' Death

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn says the whole party is in shock "at the horrific murder" of Jo Cox in her constituency.

Mrs Cox, 41, who was married with two children, was shot and stabbed in the street in Birstall, West Yorkshire.

MPs from across the political spectrum have paid tribute, with many describing her as an admired and respected presence in Westminster.

In a statement Mr Corbyn said: "The whole of the Labour Party and Labour family - and indeed the whole country - will be in shock at the horrific murder of Jo Cox today.

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"Jo had a lifelong record of public service and a deep commitment to humanity. She worked both for Oxfam and the anti-slavery charity, the Freedom Fund, before she was elected last year.

"Jo was dedicated to getting us to live up to our promises to support the developing world and strengthen human rights and she brought those values and principles with her when she became an MP.

"Jo died doing her public duty at the heart of our democracy, listening to and representing the people she was elected to serve. It is a profoundly important cause for us all."

The statement added: "In the coming days, there will be questions to answer about how and why she died. But for now all our thoughts are with Jo's husband Brendan and their two young children."

Deputy Labour Leader Tom Watson said: "It is hard to comprehend how a compassionate, principled and beautiful person can be taken away from us so cruelly."

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "The death of Jo Cox is a tragedy. She was a committed and caring MP. My thoughts are with her husband Brendan and her two young children."

Home Secretary Theresa May said Mrs Cox was one of the "brightest and most popular" MPs and the pain her family and friends are suffering is "unimaginable".

"It is entirely appropriate that all campaigning for the referendum has been suspended."

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Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: "I am utterly heartbroken at the news of the death of Jo Cox. This is a devastating attack on our peaceful society."

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "Jo Cox was the most vivacious, personable, dynamic and committed friend you could ever have.

"Whenever you talked to her, the compassion in her eyes and the commitment in her soul shone through. Years of public service advancing the causes she cared passionately about should have been ahead of her.

"She went to some of the most dangerous places in the world. The last place she should have been in danger was in her home town."

Former Labour leader Ed Miliband said: "My heart breaks for the loss of Jo Cox and for Brendan and their kids. She was so full of life and joy. Words feel hopeless right now."

Labour's Yvette Cooper said Mrs Cox had been "one of liveliest, bravest and most passionate MPs", while her husband Ed Balls said there were "no words to describe how awful this is".

Fellow Labour MP Jess Phillips said: "My heart is broken. She was amazing, a brave giant who stood against bullies."

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said: "The death of Jo Cox is terrible, most for her family & friends, but also for what the whole country has lost. We pray for those who mourn."

Gabrielle Giffords, the former US politician who was shot in a supermarket car park in Tucson , Arizona, has also offered her condolences.

She tweeted: "Absolutely sickened to hear of the assassination of Jo Cox. Yet another reason why we need better laws that help keep guns out of dangerous hands."

US State Department spokesman John Kirby said at its daily briefing it was "shocked and appalled" at Mrs Cox's murder.

:: Adam Boulton will present a Sky News Tonight special programme on Jo Cox at 7pm tonight.