Politicsuk politicsjo coxhouse of commons

Jo Cox Tributes: Tearful Rachel Reeves Says A New MP Will Be Elected But 'No-One Can Replace A Mother'

'It now falls on all of our shoulders to carry on Jo’s work'
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By 

Senior Editor, HuffPost UK

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Labour MP Rachel Reeves has paid an emotional tribute to her friend and colleague Jo Cox, telling the House of Commons how Batley and Spen will elect a new MP but "no one can replace a mother".

Reeves fought away tears as she movingly recounted how the friend she first met 20 years' ago resisted "hatred, intolerance and injustice".

As Parliament was recalled to pay tribute to the Batley and Spen MP shot and stabbed last week, she recalled how she met a woman in the town's coffeeshop who  "made her want to be a bit more like her. A better person, a better mother, a better daughter, a better wife".

“Batley and Spen will go on to elect a new MP but no one can replace a mother”

- Rachel Reeves

Reeves went on: 

“She died doing the job that she loved, representing the people she loved, in the place that she loved. Her mum and dad said to me that Jo wouldn't have changed a thing, she lived the life that she wanted to live and yet in her mum’s words, she had so much more that she could have done.

“Jo was struck down much too soon so it now falls on all of our shoulders - the women I met in that coffee shop in Batley, friends, MPs, al of us -  to carry on Jo’s work. To combat and guard against hatred, intolerance and injustice. To serve others with dignity and with love and that is the best way we can remember Jo and all she stood for.

“But last, Batley and Spen will go on to elect a new MP but no one can replace a mother.”

Parliament was recalled specifically today so MPs could speak about their memories of the 41-year-old. All wore the white rose of Mrs Cox's native Yorkshire, and a red and white rose was placed in her seat.

Before You Go

Jo Cox Tributes
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Tributes to Labour Party MP Jo Cox are placed on her houseboat in Wapping in London, Britain June 16, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall (credit:Reuters Photographer / Reuters)
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Flowers are laid at a statue to Joseph Priestly in Birstall near to the scene where Labour MP Jo Cox was shot on June 16, 2016.A British lawmaker died today after a shock daylight street attack, throwing campaigning for the referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union into disarray just a week before the crucial vote. / AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:OLI SCARFF via Getty Images)
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A message is seen on a floral tribute left near the scene of the murder of Labour Member of Parliament Jo Cox in Birstal near Leeds, Britain June 17, 2016 REUTERS/Phil Noble (credit:Phil Noble / Reuters)
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Police officers conduct a search near the scene of the murder of Labour member of Parliament Jo Cox in Birstal near Leeds, Britain June 17, 2016 REUTERS/Phil Noble (credit:Phil Noble / Reuters)
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Police officers examine the crime scene on the pavement outside the library in Birstall, northern England, on June 17, 2016, where Labour MP Jo Cox was shot yesterday.Jo Cox, the British lawmaker murdered on the streets of northern England on June 16, had complained to police earlier this year about 'malicious communications' she received, police said Friday. / AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:OLI SCARFF via Getty Images)
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A man arrives to lay flowers at a statue to Joseph Priestly in Birstall, northern England, on June 17, 2016, near to the scene where Labour MP Jo Cox was shot yesterday.Jo Cox, the British lawmaker murdered on the streets of northern England on June 16, had complained to police earlier this year about 'malicious communications' she received, police said Friday. / AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:OLI SCARFF via Getty Images)
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Police and members of the media in Birstall, West Yorkshire, at the scene where Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death in the street outside her constituency advice surgery. (credit:Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
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Tributes and candles left for murdered Labour Member of Parliament Jo Cox are seen in Parliament Square, London, Britain June 17, 2016 REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth (credit:Stefan Wermuth / Reuters)
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A flag at half mast above the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, after Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death in the street outside her constituency advice surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire. (credit:Jane Barlow/PA Wire)
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People look at tributes as another writes a message for murdered Labour Member of Parliament Jo Cox in Parliament Square, London, Britain June 17, 2016 REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth (credit:Stefan Wermuth / Reuters)
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A woman wipes away a tear as she looks at tributes left for murdered Labour Member of Parliament Jo Cox in Parliament Square, London, Britain June 17, 2016 REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth (credit:Stefan Wermuth / Reuters)
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People view tributes for Labour Party MP Jo Cox, who was shot dead in the street in northern England, on Parliament Square in London, Britain, June 16, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall (credit:Neil Hall / Reuters)
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People view tributes for Labour Party MP Jo Cox, who was shot dead in the street in northern England, on Parliament Square in London, Britain, June 16, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall (credit:Neil Hall / Reuters)
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A couple pause as they look at tributes left for murdered Labour Member of Parliament Jo Cox in Parliament Square, London, Britain June 17, 2016 REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth (credit:Stefan Wermuth / Reuters)
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A message is seen on a floral tribute left near the scene of the murder of Labour member of Parliament Jo Cox in Birstal near Leeds, June 17, 2016 REUTERS/Phil Noble (credit:Phil Noble / Reuters)
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A police officer leaves a floral tribute near the scene of the murder of Labour member of Parliament Jo Cox in Birstal near Leeds, June 17, 2016 REUTERS/Phil Noble (credit:Phil Noble / Reuters)
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A woman leaves a floral tribute next to a photograph of murdered Labour Member of Parliament Jo Cox in Parliament Square, London, Britain June 17, 2016 REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth (credit:Stefan Wermuth / Reuters)
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Messages from well wishers for murdered Labour Member of Parliament Jo Cox are seen on a board in Parliament Square, London, Britain June 17, 2016 REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth (credit:Stefan Wermuth / Reuters)
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People react to tributes to Labour Party MP Jo Cox, who was shot dead in the street in northern England, on Parliament Square in London, Britain, June 16, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall (credit:Neil Hall / Reuters)
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People write tributes to Labour Party MP Jo Cox, who was shot dead in the street in northern England, on Parliament Square in London, Britain, June 16, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall (credit:Neil Hall / Reuters)
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Labour MP Yvette Cooper (C) hugs a priest at St Peter's Church after a vigil in memory of Jo Cox, a lawmaker for Britain's opposition Labour Party, in Birstall near Leeds, June 16, 2016. REUTERS/Phil Noble (credit:Phil Noble / Reuters)
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People place tributes for Labour Party MP Jo Cox who was shot dead in the street in northern England, on Parliament Square in London, Britain, June 16, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall (credit:Neil Hall / Reuters)
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People leave St Peter's Church after a vigil in memory of Jo Cox, a lawmaker for Britain's opposition Labour Party, in Birstall near Leeds, June 16, 2016. REUTERS/Phil Noble (credit:Phil Noble / Reuters)
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Labour MP Yvette Cooper (L) leaves St Peter's Church after a vigil in memory of Jo Cox, a lawmaker for Britain's opposition Labour Party, in Birstall near Leeds, June 16, 2016. REUTERS/Phil Noble (credit:Phil Noble / Reuters)
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Floral tributes and candles are placed by a picture of slain Labour MP Jo Cox at a vigil in Parliament square in London on June 16, 2016.Cox died today after a shock daylight street attack, throwing campaigning for the referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union into disarray just a week before the crucial vote. / AFP / DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS (Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS via Getty Images)
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Labour MP Mary Creagh (L) leaves St Peter's Church after a vigil in memory of Jo Cox, a lawmaker for Britain's opposition Labour Party, in Birstall near Leeds, June 16, 2016. REUTERS/Phil Noble (credit:Phil Noble / Reuters)
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Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne delivers a speech about murdered MP Jo Cox before the Dinner to the Bankers and Merchants at The Mansion House in London, Britain, June 16, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall (credit:Neil Hall / Reuters)
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A woman cries after attending a vigil at St Peters church in Birstall to slain Labour MP Jo Cox on June 16, 2016.Cox died today after a shock daylight street attack, throwing campaigning for the referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union into disarray just a week before the crucial vote. / AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:OLI SCARFF via Getty Images)
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Labour MP's Mary Creagh (L) and Caroline Flint (2R) leave St Peters church in Birstall after attending a vigil to slain Labour MP Jo Cox on June 16, 2016.Cox died today after a shock daylight street attack, throwing campaigning for the referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union into disarray just a week before the crucial vote. / AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:OLI SCARFF via Getty Images)
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Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (C) speaks to members of the press as he attends a vigil to slain Labour MP Jo Cox in Parliament square in London on June 16, 2016.Cox died today after a shock daylight street attack, throwing campaigning for the referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union into disarray just a week before the crucial vote. / AFP / DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS (Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS via Getty Images)
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Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (C) lays a wreath as he attends a vigil to slain Labour MP Jo Cox in Parliament square in London on June 16, 2016.Cox died today after a shock daylight street attack, throwing campaigning for the referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union into disarray just a week before the crucial vote. / AFP / DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS (Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS via Getty Images)
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Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (C) speaks to members of the press as he attends a vigil to slain Labour MP Jo Cox in Parliament square in London on June 16, 2016.Cox died today after a shock daylight street attack, throwing campaigning for the referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union into disarray just a week before the crucial vote. / AFP / DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS (Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS via Getty Images)
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Labour MP Mary Creagh lays flowers at a statue to Joseph Priestly in Birstall near to the scene where Labour MP Jo Cox was shot on June 16, 2016.A British lawmaker died today after a shock daylight street attack, throwing campaigning for the referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union into disarray just a week before the crucial vote. / AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:OLI SCARFF via Getty Images)
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Police stand guard by a house suspected of being connected to the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in Birstall, northern England on June 16, 2016.A British lawmaker died today after a shock daylight street attack, throwing campaigning for the referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union into disarray just a week before the crucial vote. / AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:OLI SCARFF via Getty Images)
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BIRSTALL, ENGLAND - JUNE 16: Floral tributes are placed in Market Square next to the statue of Joseph Priestley a local hero after the murder of Jo Cox, 41, Labour MP for Batley and Spen, who was shot and stabbed by an attacker at her constituicency on June 16, 2016 in Birstall, England. A man also suffered slight injuries during the attack. Jo Cox has died after being shot and repeatedly stabbed while holding her weekly surgery at Birstall Library, Birstall near Leeds. A 53-year old man has been arrested in connection with the crime. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
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A woman arrives to lay flowers at a statue to Joseph Priestly in Birstall near to the scene where Labour MP Jo Cox was shot on June 16, 2016.A British lawmaker died today after a shock daylight street attack, throwing campaigning for the referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union into disarray just a week before the crucial vote. / AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:OLI SCARFF via Getty Images)
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A wipes away a tear as she looks at tributes left for murdered Labour Member of Parliament Jo Cox in Parliament Square, London, Britain June 17, 2016 REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth (credit:Stefan Wermuth / Reuters)
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BIRSTALL, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 17: Armed police patrol the streets of Birstall after yesterday's murder of Jo Cox MP, on June 17, 2016 in Birstall, United Kingdom. The Labour MP for Batley and Spen was about to hold her weekly constituency surgery in Birstall Library yesterday (16 June 2016) when she was shot and stabbed in the street. A 52-year old man is being held in Police custody in connection with the death. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
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A two minute silence is observed in memory of Labour MP Jo Cox, who died after being shot and stabbed in the street outside her constituency advice surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire, during the count at Wandsworth Town Hall after voters went to the polls in a by-election held after Sadiq Khan resigned his parliamentary seat following his election as Mayor of London. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
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Members of the public during a vigil at Peter's Church Birstall, West Yorkshire, following the death of Labour MP Jo Cox, who died after being shot and stabbed in the street outside her constituency advice surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire. (credit:Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
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Tribute messages at Parliament Square opposite the Palace of Westminster, central London, in respect of Labour MP Jo Cox, who died after being shot and stabbed in the street outside her constituency advice surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire. (credit:Yui Mok/PA Wire)
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Floral tributes left in Birstall, West Yorkshire, after Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death in the street outside her constituency advice surgery. (credit:Danny Lawson/PA Wire)
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A two minute silence is observed in memory of Labour MP Jo Cox, who died after being shot and stabbed in the street outside her constituency advice surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire, during the count at Wandsworth Town Hall after voters went to the polls in a by-election held after Sadiq Khan resigned his parliamentary seat following his election as Mayor of London. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
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Floral tributes left in Birstall, West Yorkshire, after Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death in the street outside her constituency advice surgery. (credit:Danny Lawson/PA Wire)
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Members of the public outside St Peter's Church Birstall, West Yorkshire after a vigil following the death of Labour MP Jo Cox, who died after being shot and stabbed in the street outside her constituency advice surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire. (credit:Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
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A Union flag, laid in tribute to slain Labour MP Jo Cox, is pictured in Birstall, northern England, on June 17, 2016, near to the scene where Cox was shot yesterday.Jo Cox, the British lawmaker murdered on the streets of northern England on June 16, had complained to police earlier this year about 'malicious communications' she received, police said Friday. / AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:OLI SCARFF via Getty Images)
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Floral tributes to Labour Party MP Jo Cox are placed on her houseboat in Wapping, east London, on June 17, 2016 a day after she was killed in northern England. Labour MP Jo Cox, a 41-year-old former aid worker also known for her advocacy for Syrian refugees, was killed on Thursday outside a library where she was supposed to meet constituents in Bistall in northern England, just a few miles (kilometres) from where she was born. / AFP / Daniel Leal-Olivas (Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS via Getty Images)
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BIRSTALL, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 17: (L-R) Lucy Powell MP, Jeff Smith MP, Paula Sheriff MP and Karen Rawling arrive to leave floral tributes close to where Jo Cox MP was murdered on June 17, 2016 in Birstall, United Kingdom. The Labour MP for Batley and Spen was about to hold her weekly constituency surgery in Birstall Library yesterday (16 June 2016) when she was shot and stabbed in the street. A 52-year old man is being held in Police custody in connection with the death. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
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Labour MP Lucy Powell (C), reacts after laying flowers in tribute to slain Labour MP Jo Cox, in Birstall, northern England, on June 17, 2016, near to the scene where Cox was shot yesterday.Jo Cox, the British lawmaker murdered on the streets of northern England on June 16, had complained to police earlier this year about 'malicious communications' she received, police said Friday. / AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:OLI SCARFF via Getty Images)
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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 17: Labour MP John Cryer and other Labour Party members lay tributes to Jo Cox on Parliament Square on June 17, 2016 in London, United Kingdom. Jo Cox, 41, Labour MP for Batley and Spen, was shot and stabbed by an attacker at her constituicency in Birstall yesterday, before she was due to hold her weekly constituency surgery in Birstall Library. A 52-year old man is being held in Police custody in connection with her death. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Dan Kitwood via Getty Images)
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BIRSTALL, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 17: Lucy Powell MP for Manchester Central (R) wipes away tears as people gather to leave flowers and tributes in Market Square in memory of Jo Cox, 41, Labour MP for Batley and Spen, who was shot and stabbed yesterday by an attacker at her constituency surgery, on June 17, 2016 in Birstall, United Kingdom. The Labour MP for Batley and Spen was about to hold her weekly constituency surgery in Birstall Library yesterday on June 16, 2016, when she was shot and stabbed in the street. A 52-year old man is being held in Police custody in connection with the death. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
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BIRSTALL, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 17: Prime Minister David Cameron (C) and Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn (R) arrive to pay their respects at the scene of the murder of Jo Cox, 41, Labour MP for Batley and Spen, who was shot and stabbed yesterday at her constituency surgery, on June 17, 2016 in Birstall, United Kingdom. The Labour MP for Batley and Spen was about to hold her weekly constituency surgery in Birstall Library yesterday on June 16, 2016, when she was shot and stabbed in the street. A 52-year old man is being held in Police custody in connection with the death. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
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BIRSTALL, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 17: Flowers and tributes are left in Market Square in memory of Jo Cox, 41, Labour MP for Batley and Spen, who was shot and stabbed yesterday by an attacker at her constituency surgery, on June 17, 2016 in Birstall, United Kingdom. The Labour MP for Batley and Spen was about to hold her weekly constituency surgery in Birstall Library yesterday on June 16, 2016, when she was shot and stabbed in the street. A 52-year old man is being held in Police custody in connection with the death. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
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