Stunned MPs suspend EU referendum campaigning
CAMPAIGNING in the EU referendum has been suspended until tomorrow following the death of Jo Cox.
Boris Johnson yesterday 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 was speaking during a visit to Gibraltar where an EU referendum campaign rally was cancelled.
He said: ‘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.’
Leading the tributes from Scottish politicians, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: ‘This is utterly shocking and tragic news which has left everyone stunned. My heart breaks for her family. Although I didn’t know Jo personally, I know she was held in huge regard as a brilliant young woman who had already contributed a huge amount in her time in Parliament.’
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale, who knew Mrs Cox, said: ‘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.’
Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, tweeted: ‘The attack on Jo Cox is devastating. All prayers with her and her family.’
George Osborne last night tore up his annual Mansion House speech, in the wake of the ‘appalling, shattering news’. He said: ‘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.
Mr Osborne highlighted the value of the ‘everyday accessibility’ of MPs to their constituents.
He said: ‘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.’
The violent death is likely to calm the tone of the referendum debate in the remaining days of the campaign.
Former premier Tony Blair said: ‘Such a pointless and savage act of hatred contradicts everything Jo lived for and worked for.’
‘They’ve lost a wife and mother’