Stunned MPs suspend EU referendum campaigning
CAMPAIGNING in the EU referendum has been suspended until tomorrow following the death of Jo Cox.
Boris Johnson abandoned a battle bus tour of East Anglia as news of the attack on Mrs Cox filtered through yesterday lunchtime.
David Cameron, who had travelled to Gibraltar, also cancelled a planned pro-EU rally in the overseas territory.
Mr Cameron said: ‘This is absolutely tragic and dreadful news. My thoughts are with Jo’s husband Brendan, their two children and their wider family. We’ve lost a great star, she was a great campaigning MP with huge compassion and a big heart.’
He added: ‘People are going to be very sad at what’s happened, at this dreadful news, and it’s right that we’ve suspended campaigning activity in this referendum, and everyone’s thoughts will be with Jo’s family and her constituents at this terrible time.’
Jeremy Corbyn yesterday said that all Labour efforts would be suspended until Saturday, as a ‘mark of respect’ to Mrs Cox, who was campaigning for Britain to stay in the EU.
He 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.
‘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.’
George Osborne last night tore up his annual Mansion House speech, in the wake of the ‘appalling, shattering news’. He said: ‘This country faces a huge question in a week’s time, one that will determine its future for decades to come.
‘The referendum is a great exercise in democracy. But the campaign has been suspended, on both sides, out of respect for Jo and her family – and for that democracy that she served.’
The Chancellor had been expected to issue a fresh warning about the economic impact of leaving the EU.
Instead he paid tribute to Mrs Cox, saying her campaigning stance on issues such as Syria and refugees had helped ‘transform’ many lives.
The Chancellor also highlighted the value of the ‘everyday accessibility’ of MPs to their constituents – and vowed that it would continue despite the ‘injury and intimidation’ faced by some.
He added: ‘ People are free in this country to live their lives as they choose and express themselves without fear. Society will protect their right to do so and hold to account those who disregard our laws.
‘ Today’s horrible events are an assault on all of these values. But we know that these values, no matter how they have been challenged in the past, have always prevailed.’
Mrs Cox’s violent death is likely to calm the tone of the referendum debate in the final days of campaigning.
US Secretary of State John Kerry described the killing as an ‘ assault on democracy’.
Former US Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who survived a shooting in Arizona in 2011, said: ‘ Absolutely sickened to hear of the assassination of Jo Cox. She was young, courageous and hardworking. A rising star, mother and wife.’
Former Labour Party leader Ed Miliband said: ‘ My heart breaks for the loss of Jo Cox and for Brendan and their kids. She was so full of joy. Words feel hopeless right now.’
Former premier Tony Blair said: ‘Such a pointless and savage act of hatred contradicts everything Jo lived for and worked for. She is a huge loss to British politics.’
‘We’ve lost a great star’