George Osborne Backs Call For Memorial To Honour 'Incredible' Jo Cox

He wants people to remember her 'tragic' death.
Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

George Osborne has backed a popular plea to honour killed Labour MP Jo Cox with a memorial.

The Chancellor said a physical tribute should be paid to the much-loved MP's "tragic" death and "incredible" life.

He added that Cox's family - her widowed husband and two children - should have the final say on what form a memorial to her would take, but made clear he was in favour of commemorating her achievements.

“I hope there will be a memorial not just to her tragic death but to her incredible life,” Osborne told ITV's 'Peston on Sunday' programme.

Jo Cox was killed on Thursday this week
Jo Cox was killed on Thursday this week
Yui Mok/PA Wire

“I think what you’ve seen in the last couple of days is not just a nation mourning the manner of her death but actually celebrating what she achieved in her short life.”

The Chancellor also discussed the fund set up in Cox's memory, which has so far seen over £720,000 donated that will be distributed to three charities that she worked closest with: The White Helmets, Hope Not Hate and The Royal Voluntary Service.

Osborne said the generosity of donors reflected “the kind of Britain we don’t talk about enough, a Britain that’s very generous and open-hearted”.

His comments come after political leaders from across the world expressed their condolences at the killing of an MP for the first time since 1990.

Gordon and Jean Leadbeater (centre), the parents of Labour MP Jo Cox, her sister sister Kim Leadbeater (right) lay flowers in Birstall
Gordon and Jean Leadbeater (centre), the parents of Labour MP Jo Cox, her sister sister Kim Leadbeater (right) lay flowers in Birstall
Danny Lawson/PA Wire

Cox's husband paid a moving tribute to his wife on the day she was killed with a moving statement.

Brendan Cox said: “Today is the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. More difficult, more painful, less joyful, less full of love.

"I and Jo’s friends and family are going to work every moment of our lives to love and nurture our kids and to fight against the hate that killed Jo.

“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."

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