Parliament Pays Tribute To Jo Cox

MP Jo Cox, who was killed on Thursday, was honoured by family members and politicians.

16:28 21 June 2016

MPs have returned to Parliament to pay tribute to MP Jo Cox, who was killed in West Yorkshire on Thursday.

 

Speaker John Bercow said the Commons had gathered in "heartbreaking sadness" but also in "heartfelt solidarity".

 

He said that Mrs. Cox had "outstanding qualities... she was caring, eloquent, principled and wise".

"Above all she was filled with and fuelled by love for humanity. Devoted to her family and a relentless campaigner for equality, human rights and social justice," he added.

 

Mr Bercow added: "An attack like this strikes not only at an individual, but at our freedom. That is why we assemble here, both to honour Jo and to redouble our dedication to democracy."

 

In the public gallery are Mrs Cox’s family, husband, Brendan, and their two children.

 

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn told the MPs: "We have lost one of our own and society as a whole has lost one of our very best."

 

Mrs Cox had dedicated her life serving and campaigning for other people both in her charity work and as an MP. 

 

Her death was described as "an attack on democracy and our whole country has been shocked and saddened by it... and was united in grief".