Tributes are pouring in for Labour MP Jo Cox after she was killed by a man wielding a gun and knife. She was shot and repeatedly stabbed in her own constituency near Leeds and was pronounced dead just over 48 minutes later by a doctor working with a paramedic crew trying to save her life.
The Union flag is flying at half-mast over the Houses of Parliament, Downing Street and Buckingham Palace, while in Birstall hundreds of people attended a vigil at a local church. Many people, some weeping, laid flowers outside the Houses of Parliament.
A message is seen on a floral tribute left near the scene of the murder of Labour Member of Parliament Jo Cox in BirstallPhil Noble/ReutersA woman wipes away a tear as she looks at tributes left for Jo Cox in Parliament SquareStefan Wermuth/ReutersMessages from well-wishers are seen on a board in Parliament SquareStefan Wermuth/ReutersTributes to Labour Party MP Jo Cox are placed on her houseboat in Wapping, LondonNeil Hall/ReutersPeople sign messages of condolence for Jo Cox during a vigil in Parliament Square, LondonDan Kitwood/Getty Images
Her husband Brendan said: "Jo believed in a better world and she fought for it every day of her life with an energy and a zest for life that would exhaust most people."
Colleagues expressed their shock and disbelief at the death of Cox, a Cambridge University graduate who had spent a decade working for aid agency Oxfam and was known for her work on women's issues. "We've lost a wonderful woman, we've lost a wonderful member of parliament, but our democracy will go on," Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said in a televised statement. "As we mourn her memory, we'll work in her memory to achieve that better world she spent her life trying to achieve."
Prime Minister David Cameron said the killing of Cox was a tragedy. "We have lost a great star," said Cameron. "She was a great campaigning MP with huge compassion, with a big heart. It is dreadful, dreadful news."
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn attends a vigil for Jo Cox in Parliament SquareDaniel Leal-Olivas/AFPLabour MP Yvette Cooper hugs the vicar at St Peter's Church after a vigil in memory of Jo CoxPhil Noble/ReutersLabour MPs Yvette Cooper and Rachel Reeves leave St Peters church in Birstall after attending a vigil for Jo CoxOli Scarff/AFPImam Saeed Makda speaks with the vicar after attending a vigil at St Peters church in BirstallOli Scarff/AFPA woman leaves a floral tribute next to a photograph of murdered Labour Member of Parliament Jo Cox in Parliament Square, LondonStefan Wermuth/ReutersA message is seen on a floral tribute left near the scene of the murderPhil Noble/ReutersA young girl leaves flowers in Market Square, BirstallChristopher Furlong/Getty ImagesA man prepares to lay a bunch of flowers near the scene were Jo Cox was killedOli Scarff/AFPA card in tribute to Jo Cox is seen near the scene where she was killed in BirstallPhil Noble/ReutersPeople place floral tributes and candles at Parliament SquareDaniel Leal-Olivas/AFPA book of condolence is seen near Jo Cox's houseboat in WappingNeil Hall/ReutersA woman and child leave a floral tribute for the murdered Labour MP in Parliament SquareStefan Wermuth/ReutersFloral tributes and messages are left in Market Square in Birstall, in memory of Jo CoxChristopher Furlong/Getty ImagesA message is seen on a floral tribute left near the scene of the murderPhil Noble/ReutersFlowers and tributes are left in Market Square, BirstallChristopher Furlong/Getty ImagesRoses for a Yorkshire rose are placed at the base of a statue of Joseph Priestley in BirstallOli Scarff/AFPA police officer carries bunches of flowers at the scene of the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in BirstallPhil Noble/ReutersA message is seen on a floral tribute laid at Market Square in BirstallChristopher Furlong/Getty ImagesFlowers are laid at a statue of Joseph Priestly in Birstall, near the scene where Jo Cox was killedOli Scarff/AFPLucy Powell MP for Manchester Central wipes away tears as she pays her respects near the scene of the murderPhil Noble/ReutersA message is seen on a bunch of flowers left at Parliament SquareDan Kitwood/Getty ImagesWomen leave tributes near the scene of the murderPhil Noble/ReutersTributes are left to Jo Cox on Parliament SquareDan Kitwood/Getty ImagesA young woman becomes emotional as she arrives to leave a floral tribute near the scene of the murderPhil Noble/ReutersA note of condolence is pictured at Parliament SquareDan Kitwood/Getty ImagesFlowers surround a picture of Jo Cox during a vigil in Parliament SquareDan Kitwood/Getty Images
Jo Cox fought against poverty and discrimination in developing countries, worked in Parliament for a solution to the civil war in Syria and campaigned for Britain to remain in the European Union. In charity work and politics, she took up causes across the globe, from some of the world's most dangerous countries to her home constituency in Yorkshire.
