Tributes paid to MP Jo Cox

Jo Cox - credit PA

Tributes have been paid to Labour MP Jo Cox, who was killed in an attack in her constituency today.

Scottish political leaders were attending a campaigning event in Edinburgh when the attack happened.

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale knew Cox.

“Jo was an extraordinary woman. She devoted her life to helping people in the darkest places in our world.

“Our hearts are broken by the loss of one of our country's brightest hopes. We mourn not just the woman she was but the loss of everything she would have achieved,” she said.

RELATED CONTENT

Labour MP Jo Cox dies after being attacked in her constituency

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also issued a statement.

“This is utterly shocking and tragic news, which has left everyone stunned,” she said.

“My thoughts this evening are with Jo Cox’s family - my heart breaks for them. Although I didn’t know Jo personally, I know she was held in huge regard as a brilliant young woman, who had already contributed a huge amount in her time in Parliament, and today she was simply going about her job as a local MP.

“My thoughts and condolences also go to Jo’s colleagues in the Labour Party and to the many friends she had clearly made across the political spectrum.”

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown also knew Cox well as she had worked for his wife Sarah. In a statement he 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.

“Sarah and I were privileged to work with Jo and her husband Brendan over many years and in her tireless efforts on behalf of poor and desolate children and mothers. 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.

“People will say that this does not happen in Britain. This should not happen in Britain. And we must resolve that this will never again happen in Britain.”

All further campaigning on the EU has been suspended, including a speech by the Prime Minister in Gibralter.

Jo Cox’s husband Brendan issued a statement about her death.

“Today is the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. More difficult, more painful, less joyful, less full of love. I and Jo’s friends and family are going to work every moment of our lives to love and nurture our kids and to fight against the hate that killed Jo.

“Jo believed in a better world and she fought for it every day of her life with an energy, and a zest for life that would exhaust most people.

“She would have wanted two things above all else to happen now, one that our precious children are bathed in love and two, that we all unite to fight against the hatred that killed her. Hate doesn’t have a creed, race or religion, it is poisonous.

“Jo would have no regrets about her life, she lived every day of it to the full,” he said.

This tweet is from when she was elected last year: