Labour MP shot and stabbed to death

LONDON: Jo Cox, a popular first time Labour MP from West Yorkshire and a “Remain in EU” supporter, died on Thursday after being stabbed and shot by a man in her

LONDON: Jo Cox, a popular first time Labour MP from West Yorkshire and a “Remain in EU” supporter, died on Thursday after being stabbed and shot by a man in her constituency, sending shock waves across Britain’s political establishment.

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Cox, 42, was the MP from Batley and Spen, nearly 340 km north of London. She was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary after being attacked in the market town of Birstall around 1pm GMT.

The “Vote Leave” and “Remain” groups campaigning for the June 23 referendum on Britain’s future in the European Union suspended their campaign for the day after the attack. MPs and others said they were shocked and shaken by the incident.

Labour party leader Jeremy 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.”

Witnesses said they saw Cox being hit by a white man of medium height who was wearing a baseball cap and grey clothes. The MP was targeted after she became involved in an altercation between two arguing men, they said.

Cox, a former aid worker with Oxfam, was married and has two children.