Labour MP Jo Cox stabbed and shot to death in brutal attack

MP Jo Cox, 41, has died after being shot and stabbed by an assailant in her constituency just outside Leeds.

The Batley and Spen MP was taking a lunch break when she was attacked at around 1pm today.

The attack took place near the Birstall library where she held advice surgeries. Another victim, a man aged 77 also suffered slight injuries.

Eyewitness Hithem Ben Abdallah told the Press Association: “There was a guy who was being very brave and another guy with a white baseball cap who he was trying to control and the man in the baseball cap suddenly pulled a gun from his bag.

“He was fighting with her and wrestling with her and then the gun went off twice and then she fell between two cars and I came and saw her bleeding on the floor.”

Police said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack.

The Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the country would be “in shock at the horrific murder”, describing the MP as a “much loved colleague”.

He added: “Jo died doing her public duty at the heart of our democracy, listening to and representing the people she was elected to serve.

“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.”

Fellow Leeds MP Hilary Benn tweeted “May you rest eternal Jo. We were all so proud to have known you and to call you our friend. You were the best of humanity.”

Chief Constable of the West Yorkshire Police, Dee Collins said “the inquiry is at an early stage, and an individual is under arrest. The police are not able to discuss motives at this time.”