Jo’s widower leads tributes to Bernard
Jo Cox family pay tribute as brave pensioner dies
Jo Cox’s widower led the tributes yesterday following the death of Bernard Kenny, the selfless pensioner who tried to save the West Yorkshire MP’s life. Mr Kenny died on Monday following a battle with cancer.
JO COX’S widower led the tributes yesterday following the death of Bernard Kenny, the selfless pensioner who tried in vain to save the murdered West Yorkshire MP’s life.
Brendan Cox hailed Mr Kenny – who died on Monday aged 79 following a battle with cancer – as a hero who “personified the best of our country”. Writing on Twitter, Mr Cox added: “Our thoughts and love are with his family.”
In a statement, Mrs Cox’s sister, Kim Leadbeater, said: “Bernard was a true hero and a shining example of Yorkshire and British bravery.
“He restored our faith in humanity and we will be forever grateful for the attempt he made to intervene when Jo was killed.”
Mr Kenny, from Birstall, died with his wife Doreen by his side, said his son, Phil, a retired geography teacher.
A miner for 40 years, he was a member of the Gomersal Mines Rescue team which tried to save victims of the Lofthouse pit disaster in 1973. He bravely went to Mrs Cox’s aid after the popular Labour MP for Batley and Spen was attacked by right-wing extremist Thomas Mair as she made her way to a constituency surgery at Birstall Library on June 16 last year.
Mr Kenny was stabbed in the chest during the ensuing struggle and underwent surgery at Leeds General Infirmary. Tracy Brabin, who was elected MP for Batley and Spen following Mrs Cox’s death, said: “My heartfelt condolences go out to Bernard’s family at this sad time. I hope they will take comfort in the fact that Bernard will forever be remembered as a true hero, both as a member of the miners’ rescue team and as a constituent of Batley and Spen who risked his life to protect Jo Cox. Bernard was brave and selfless, we will never forget him.”
Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford MP Yvette Cooper tweeted: “This is deeply sad news – Bernard Kenny was a true hero, a very brave man. Thoughts with his family.”
Also writing on Twitter, Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves said: “Very sad news. Bernard Kenny was an extremely brave and good man – my thoughts are with his family.” Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “He was a true hero, whose bravery and selflessness will continue to inspire us.”
Wirral South MP Alison McGovern tweeted: “The very definition of heroism. Bernard Kenny. Thinking of his family, who must be rightly proud.”
Mr Kenny was given the George Medal earlier this year for his courage, and said he was “honoured” by the award.
He was also presented with a medal in June this year by the Order of St John in a ceremony at West Yorkshire Police’s Wakefield headquarters.
The medal was crafted in gold, a rare tribute made in recognition of what the Order described as the “conspicuous” bravery of an “exceptional man and an inspiration”. Mr Kenny was also guest of honour at a rugby league match between Batley Bulldogs and Dewsbury Rams in the weeks that followed the killing.
Mair, 53, was given a wholelife sentence for the murder of 41-year-old mother-of-two Mrs Cox, which happened during the run-up to the EU referendum.
He was also found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Kenny as well as possession of a gun and dagger.
Bernard Kenny was an extremely brave and good man. Rachel Reeves MP on the former miner who tackled right-wing extremist Thomas Mair.