Gordon Brown’s poignant tribute to murdered MP

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown remembered the working class girl who was “not trying to join the establishment but trying to change it”.

Paying tribute to the late Labour MP, Mr Brown said Jo’s efforts to protect her staff even in her final moments were typical of her character.

And he pledged his support for the Great Get Together.

“Brendan, you have all our support,” he said.

“We will be there for you in spirit, and we will be there for you in practice.

“Everything Jo has done will be remembered and will inspire us to do more in the future.”

It was a poignant tribute after Mr Cox had lightened the mood with a gentle dig at Mr Brown at the start of his talk.

Mr Cox had worked as a special adviser to Mr Brown during his time as Prime Minister.

“Gordon’s approach to typing was somewhat creative and more directional than specific,” said Mr Cox.

“I learned Serbo-Croat and I have to say it was much easier to decipher than Gordon’s typing.”

Mr Brown waded into the Scottish independence debate when he spoke on Saturday.

He proposed an option to preserve the union by granting the Scottish Parliament extra powers, including to set VAT rates, sign international treaties and take charge of agriculture, fisheries and the environment.