The Prime Minister has paid tribute to MP Jo Cox who he described as ‘a star for her constituents’.
The Labour MP for Batley and Spen died after she was shot and stabbed in her constituency by an assailant who, eyewitnesses told the BBC, shouted ‘put Britain first’.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: ‘This is absolutely tragic and dreadful news and my thoughts are with Jo’s husband Brendan, their 2 children and wider family.
‘We’ve lost a great star. She had a big heart and people are going to be very, very sad at what has happened.’
He also described her as ‘a very strong campaigning MP’.
‘She had a great track record of caring about refugees and had taken a big interest in how we can look after Syrian refugees and do the right thing in our world.’
‘She was a star for her constituents, a star in Parliament and a star right across the House,’ he added.
Jo Cox was also a member of the communities and local government committee.
Responding to the tragic news, Lord Porter, chairman of the Local Government Association (LGA), said: ‘On behalf of everyone in local government I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Jo Cox. Our thoughts are with them at this tragic time.’
Cllr Nick Forbes, senior vice chair of the LGA, also added: ‘On behalf of Labour councillors I wish to express our deepest condolences to Jo's family. Jo was a committed campaigner and Labour politician who died carrying out her public service.
'We have all suffered a great loss today.’
