Jeremy Corbyn says Jo Cox was universally respected and liked at Westminster - by everyone, not just her Labour colleagues.
21:50, UK,Thursday 16 June 2016
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn says the whole party is in shock "at the horrific murder" of Jo Cox in her constituency.
Mrs Cox, 41, who was married with two children, was shot and stabbed in the street in Birstall, West Yorkshire.
MPs from across the political spectrum have paid tribute, with many describing her as an admired and respected presence in Westminster.
In a statement Mr Corbyn 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.
"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."
The statement added: "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."
Deputy Labour Leader Tom Watson said: "It is hard to comprehend how a compassionate, principled and beautiful person can be taken away from us so cruelly."
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