Local MP Graham Brady has described the death of fellow MP Jo Cox as a “tragedy”.
Jo Cox, the Labour MP for Batley and Spen, died this afternoon after being shot and stabbed in her constituency in Birstall, West Yorkshire. A 52-year-old man was arrested nearby.
And Brady, the MP for Altrincham and Sale West, paid tribute to the 41-year-old mother of two, saying her death was “a great loss to Parliament and public life”.
Other tributes have been flowing in from around the political world.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, whose wife Sarah advised Cox on women and children’s health campaigns, described her as the “most vivacious, personable, dynamic and committed friend you could ever have”.
Andy Burnham MP, who recently announced he would be standing to be mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “When I visited Jo in her constituency a couple of months ago, I saw for myself the huge affection for her and pride in her achievements.
“She was the brightest of stars but at the same time a warm-hearted, no-nonsense, down-to-earth Yorkshire lass. That’s what made her so special and what I loved about her.”
And Prime Minister David Cameron said: “We’ve lost a great star. She was a great campaigning MP with huge compassion, a big heart and people are very very sad at what has happened. Dreadful, dreadful news.”
