“We have lost a much loved colleague, a real talent and a dedicated campaigner for social justice and peace. But they have lost a wife and a mother, and our hearts go out to them.” – Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn
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.
“She was 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.
“It’s right that we are suspending campaigning activity in this referendum and everyone’s thoughts will be with Jo’s family and her constituents at this terrible time.”
Jeremy Corbyn MP, Leader of the Labour Party said: “The whole of the Labour Party and Labour family – and indeed the whole country – will be in shock at the horrific murder of Jo Cox today.
“Jo had a lifelong record of public service and a deep commitment to humanity. She worked both for Oxfam and the anti-slavery charity, the Freedom Fund, before she was elected last year as MP for Batley and Spen – where she was born and grew up.
“Jo was dedicated to getting us to live up to our promises to support the developing world and strengthen human rights – and she brought those values and principles with her when she became an MP.
“Jo died doing her public duty at the heart of our democracy, listening to and representing the people she was elected to serve. It is a profoundly important cause for us all.
“Jo was universally liked at Westminster, not just by her Labour colleagues, but across Parliament.
“In the coming days, there will be questions to answer about how and why she died. But for now all our thoughts are with Jo’s husband Brendan and their two young children. They will grow up without their mum, but can be immensely proud of what she did, what she achieved and what she stood for.
“We send them our deepest condolences. We have lost a much loved colleague, a real talent and a dedicated campaigner for social justice and peace. But they have lost a wife and a mother, and our hearts go out to them.”
Tom Watson MP, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party said: “The whole of the Labour movement is devastated at Jo’s death. We have lost a colleague so young who had much more to contribute to public life. She was our future.
“It is hard to comprehend how a compassionate, principled and beautiful person can be taken away from us so cruelly. It’s even more devastating because she was doing what she did best – serving her constituents.
“We grieve her loss. Our love and prayers are with Brendan and Jo’s family.”
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: ““There will be time to talk about what the savage murder of an elected representative means for our democracy but that’s for another day. Today we mourn the loss of one of our own.
“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.
“Our thoughts and love are with her husband Brendan and her children. That their pain and loss is shared by people across the Labour family and people around the world is testament to how special the life Jo led was. In time we hope that will be some comfort to them.”
