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Summary

  1. Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox died after being shot and stabbed in Birstall
  2. A 52-year-old man has been arrested in connection with Mrs Cox's death
  3. Mrs Cox was 41 and married with two children
  4. The MP entered Parliament after the 2015 General Election
  5. Tributes to MP pour in from across the world
  6. Conservatives confirm they won't contest by-election caused by Jo Cox's death
  7. Live updates on Friday 17 June 2016

Live reporting

By Oli Woodcock and Nick Wilmshurst

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Watch: Lord Kinnock's tribute to Jo Cox MP

BBC News Channel

Lord Kinnock, former leader of the Labour party, gives a moving tribute to Jo Cox.

'It was instantly clear she was someone who'd make her mark in politics'

Joe Inwood

BBC Video Journalist

It is almost a year to the day since I first met Jo Cox MP.

I was filming a feature about her first day in Parliament. She was fiercely intelligent, impassioned and articulate - all the things successful politicians need to be.

But she was also warm, engaging, and human - all the things they so often want to be. 

Jo Cox MP outside Houses of Parliament
BBC

We walked into the bowels of her barge, where her husband Brendan was preparing breakfast. She offered me a coffee and we started chatting. Her two kids joined us. They were charming, lively and bright. It wasn't hard to see where they got it from. 

We talked about politics, family, travel. After about half an hour I had to remind myself I was actually there to film her. It was impossible to meet Jo and not want to spend time with her.

Jo Cox MP at home
BBC

I spent a couple of days filming with Jo and, luckily, she liked the piece. The last time we spoke was a couple of months ago. 

It’s hard to believe that will now never happen. Politics, public life but, most importantly, her wonderful family are far poorer for her senseless death.

Tributes at Buckingham Palace and Houses of Parliament to Jo Cox

The flags over Buckingham Palace and at the Houses of Parliament are flying at half mast in tribute to Batley and Spen Labour MP Jo Cox:

Flag flying at half mast over Buckingham Palace
PA
Half mast flag at Parliament
PA

Watch: Floral tributes laid at Jo Cox's family boat

Floral tributes have been laid on top of the houseboat which Batley and Spen Labour MP Jo Cox and her family used as their London home.

BBC correspondent Catriona Renton reports from the banks of the Thames in East London:  

Jo Cox killing: Grief and disbelief in Birstall constituency

Lauren Potts

BBC Local Live

I've been out in Birstall, among people who describe Jo Cox MP as caring, hard-working and dedicated to the people. 

mourners
CHRISTOPHER FURLONG / GETTY

The tributes continue to pour in for Mrs Cox following her shocking killing. And on the streets of the area she served as a local MP, grief is palpable. 

Grief
CHRISTOPHER FURLONG /GETTY

Blue police tape is wrapped in great loops around lampposts surrounding the square. Cameramen jostle for what limited space there is left to set up their tripods.  

Police
AFP/GETTY

Depressed, is the word, we've lost someone special."

Brian DoyleBirstall resident

Jo Cox was 'fantastic mum and a brilliant politician'

BBC Radio 4

Tributes have been paid around the world to Batley and Spen Labour MP Jo Cox who was killed in her constituency yesterday.

Former Labour leadership contender and West Yorkshire MP Yvette Cooper told Radio 4's Mishal Husain that Mrs Cox was the kind of person "who never opted for the easy path".

She also praised the late MP for her dedication towards helping the public and supporting her family: "She never stopped doing both, and doing both brilliantly. Just a fantastic mum and a brilliant politician."

Conservatives 'won't contest Batley and Spen by-election'

The Conservative Party will not contest the by-election in Batley and Spen resulting from the death of Labour MP Jo Cox, Downing Street has just said.

#ThankYourMP trends on Twitter after death of Jo Cox

BBC Newsbeat

Twitter users have flooded the social network with messages about their local MPs following the killing of West Yorkshire Labour MP Jo Cox.

Jo Cox tributes
BBC

The hashtag #ThankYourMP is being used to tell others of the work their MP does for the community.

Some have used it to criticise MPs and the state of British politics, but the mood of hashtag users is largely positive.

Caroline Flint pays tribute to Jo Cox

'She threw her heart and soul into being an MP'

Labour MP Caroline Flint pays tribute to friend and colleague Jo Cox MP on the Victoria Derbsyhire programme. The 41-year-old was attacked after holding a constituency surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire on Thursday.

Watch: Tributes at Jo Cox's constituency office

Charles Heslett

Journalist, BBC Radio Leeds

This is the scene outside the constituency office of Jo Cox in Batley today as people lay floral tributes and pay condolences to the MP who was killed yesterday.

'I’ve had hate mail, I’ve had threats to cut my throat' - Leader, Portsmouth City Council

In the wake of Labour MP Jo Cox's death, The News in Portsmouth reports how Donna Jones had vicious threats made against her as leader of the city council.

Cllr Donna Jones
BBC

The paper says councillor Jones had been to police about attacks on her, which included threats to cut her throat. She urges the government to consider tougher action to stop "keyboard warriors", saying internet abuse could rise to horrifying levels.

Whilst social media is amazing in that you can get information out really quickly, it also makes people who are elected susceptible to targeting and I think in this circumstance it’s gone on to the horrific level that it did yesterday... I’ve had dog excrement sent through the post, I’ve had hate mail, I’ve had threats to cut my throat, I’ve had all sorts of things."

Donna JonesLeader, Portsmouth City Council

Jo Cox death: What we know about the suspect

The man held over the killing of Labour MP Jo Cox is "not a violent man and is not that political", his brother has said.

Tommy Mair
ROSS PARRY

Named locally as Tommy Mair, the 52-year-old was arrested by police close to the home where he lived alone in Birstall, West Yorkshire.

Witnesses reported that during the attack he shouted "Britain first" twice.

Scott Mair, 50, told reporters on Thursday that his brother had a "history of mental illness" but that "he has had help".

'Jo was passionate about helping children and families' - NSPCC

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) has paid tribute to Jo Cox, who, before entering parliament, worked for the organisation as a strategy consultant.

Jo Cox MP
AFP

Peter Wanless, chief executive of the NSPCC, says: "Jo was passionate about helping children and families who face adversity. She had a great understanding of the problems young people face and was totally committed to changing things to improve their lives. 

"Jo impressed everyone with her ceaseless drive, determination and above all compassion during her time working at the NSPCC as a strategy consultant.

"Our thoughts are with her family and friends who must be absolutely devastated by her tragic death."

In pictures: Jo Cox MP tributes

Tributes are left and vigils held following the death of Labour MP Jo Cox in a gun and knife attack on Thursday, in Birstall.

A schoolgirl carrying a bunch of flowers
Getty Images

In pictures: Jo Cox tributes

Tributes are left and vigils held following the death of Labour MP Jo Cox in a gun and knife attack on Thursday.

Canadian MP breaks down in Jo Cox tribute

Canadian MP Nathan Cullen, who was a friend of Jo Cox MP, broke down with emotion as he paid tribute to the late MP in Canada's House of Commons.

Yorkshire County Cricket Club to pay tribute to Jo Cox MP

Yorkshire County Cricket Club will pay tribute to Jo Cox MP at Headingley tonight following her death.

Headingley
BBC

Ahead of tonight’s NatWest T20 Blast match against Nottinghamshire, players, officials, members and spectators will join together and remember Mrs Cox by observing a minute’s silence. 

The players will also wear black armbands during tonight’s match.

Mark Arthur, Yorkshire County Cricket Club Chief Executive, has paid his own tribute to the MP:

Jo was a kind, intelligent person who was generous with her time. She genuinely wanted to help others, particularly those in her constituency, and make a difference to their lives. My heart goes out to her husband Brendan and their two young children.”

Mark ArthurYorkshire County Cricket Club Chief Executive

Listen: Birstall cafe owner's moment-by-moment account of attack

Ben Abdullah was at the scene in Birstall as Jo Cox was being attacked

This is his account of what happened, minute-by-minute. 

Some of what he says contains some very graphic descriptions. 

He spoke to BBC Radio Leeds' Liz Green:

'Police reviewing security' for Jo Cox MP, reports The Times

The Times

"Police were poised to put extra security in place for Jo Cox when she became the first British MP to be murdered in more than 25 years," reports the Times.

"Additional security was being considered at her constituency surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire, where the attack took place, as well as at her houseboat in London."

"There is no known link between the messages and yesterday’s attack", the Times adds.

Listen: Community in Birstall mourns 'beautiful angel' Jo Cox

BBC Radio Leeds

Tributes have been pouring in from around the world for the Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox, who was killed in Birstall yesterday afternoon

BBC Radio Leeds reporter Charles Heslett was at a vigil held for Mrs Cox last night:

Jo Cox murder: Assault on our democracy

All campaigning ahead of the EU referendum has been suspended after the killing of Labour MP Jo Cox and David Cameron has said Britain has lost "a great star".

The BBC's James Landale assesses the impact of the murder on political discourse in the UK:

The world's media descend on Birstall

Following the death of Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox, the world's media has descended on Birstall:

Media pack
BBC
Media pack
BBC
Media pack
BBC

Labour MP on security: 'Jo would not want us to be hidden'

Victoria Derbyshire

Labour's Anna Turley has joined her fellow MP Clive Betts to pay tribute to Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox on the Victoria Derbyshire programme.

Victoria Derbyshire
BBC

Like Jo Cox, Ms Turley was first elected to Parliament in the 2015 general election. 

She says many new parliamentarians are "shocked and taken aback at how much aggression there is towards MPs".

She adds that security "needs to be looked at, but Jo would not want us to be hidden, behind walls".

A 'proud Yorkshire lass' who became Batley and Spen MP

BBC News England

She was a self-proclaimed "proud Yorkshire lass" whose work for charity took her around the world and whose political success led her to Westminster.

Jo Cox memorial
AFP/Getty Images

Jo Cox MP, who died on Thursday after being shot and stabbed in her constituency in Birstall, was elected as MP for Batley and Spen in the 2015 General Election.

The 41-year-old mother-of-two increased Labour's majority to 6,051.

Prime Minister David Cameron led the many tributes to her on Thursday. He described her as a "bright star". You can read her full obituary here.

Book of condolence opens in Batley for Jo Cox MP

Batley Parish Church will be open until 16.00 today so people can pay their respects to Jo Cox MP and her family.

The church says there will be a book of condolence and candles to light. 

Candles
Batley Parish Church
Jo Cox
Batley Parish Church
Book of condolence
Batley Parish Church

Jo Cox killing: Neighbours reaction

BBC Radio 4

A man arrested in connection with the killing of Batley and Spen Labour MP Jo Cox has been named locally as Tommy Mair.

Mrs Cox was shot and stabbed yesterday afternoon in what police describe as a “horrific” assault.

BBC reporter Ross Hawkins has spoken to Tommy Mair's neighbours:

Referendum campaigning suspended until tomorrow

Campaigning in the EU referendum remains suspended until tomorrow as a mark of respect following the death of Batley and Spen Labour MP Jo Cox.

EU referendum campaigners
BBC

Holly Lynch: Jo Cox made balancing a family life with being an MP 'look easy'

Today Programme

BBC Radio 4

Jo Cox "was an absolute hero", according to Halifax Labour MP Holly Lynch, who was elected in 2015 - the same year as her late colleague

Jo Cox and Holly Lynch
PA

"She had young children, she had a family and that was a balancing act for Jo, but she made it look so easy," the Halifax MP said.

Ms Lynch (pictured right with Mrs Cox) says she  had "dynamism and clarity", a passion and compassion for her constituents and beyond, but was someone who knew "we won't be here forever" and every opportunity needed to be taken.

Ms Lynch said it was important to take safety concerns "very seriously but not let it stop you from being an effective MP".

"I will never be able to forget what's happened to Jo and it's incredibly sad and you do have to bear in mind the safety of your staff," she added.

Flags at half mast on Batley Town Hall

Flags fly at half mast on Batley Town Hall this morning in memory of Jo Cox MP.

Batley town hall
BBC
Batley town hall
Batley

Aroma of flowers fills the air in Birstall

Clare Mcdonnell

Reporter, BBC 5Live

I’m in the market square at the top of Market Street in Birstall this morning, about 100 yards from the blue and white police tape lines where Jo Cox MP was stabbed and shot yesterday.

Floral tribute
BBC

She only became an MP last year, and her death at the age of 41 with a young family has drawn a huge reaction from the people she served.

The aroma of flowers is quite overpowering. People here have been leaving tributes here last night and this morning. 

There's a note that says, "RIP Jo Cox, a friend and a fantastic campaigner. A bright, shining star has gone out tonight".

EU TV debate cancelled after death of Jo Cox MP

A live BBC TV debate on the UK's future in Europe has been cancelled following the death of Batley and Spen Labour MP Jo Cox.

Jo Cox
PA

The 41-year-old died on Thursday after being shot and stabbed following a constituency surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire.

First Minister Carwyn Jones and Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood were due to make the case for the Remain side.

Killing of Jo Cox MP raises questions about security

James Landale

BBC diplomatic correspondent

The ability of MPs and their staff to engage with constituents goes to the heart of our parliamentary democracy.

Candles in tribute to Jo Cox outside Parliament
Reuters

MPs can represent us here at Westminster only because every week they go back home and meet us face to face.

There will inevitably be another debate about MPs' security. Many are often subject to physical attack. But politics can't happen from behind a ring of steel.

Jo Cox's death is not just an awful tragedy. It is also an assault on our democracy.

Listen: Community in Batley remembers 'our Jo'

Jenny Eells

Reporter, BBC Radio Leeds

I was in Batley last night after the news broke that the local MP Jo Cox had been killed in nearby Birstall.

Residents there paid tribute to "our Jo":    

'We all grieve with you' - Former Labour leader Ed Miliband

Former Labour leader Ed Miliband has praised Brendan Cox, the husband of murdered Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox, for his "extraordinary dignity, love and compassion". 

In a statement, Mr Miliband added: "Brendan, we all stand with you and grieve with you."

David Miliband
Getty Images

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."

Ed MilibandFormer Labour Party Leader

Rachel Reeves MP says her constituency office will be closed today

The Leeds West Labour MP Rachel Reeves says her constituency office will be closed today with "safety in mind" following the death of Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox.   

Rachel Reeves and Liz Green
BBC

Speaking to Liz Green on BBC Radio Leeds in the last few minutes she says it's about safety.

We have to think not only about our own safety but also our staff... They work in our offices, in our constituencies. I think until we know more, it's right we do this."

Rachel ReevesLeeds West Labour MP

In Pictures: Floral tributes outside boarded-up office of Jo Cox MP

This morning, floral tributes left by well-wishers have started to gather outside the boarded-up office of Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox.  

Floral tributes
BBC
Floral tributes
BBC
Floral tributes
BBC