ISLINGTON MPs have paid tribute to colleague Jo Cox, who was shot and stabbed to death in a shocking attack near her constituency office yesterday (Thursday).

Ms Cox, 41, Labour MP for Batley and Spen, in West Yorkshire, was left bleeding on the ground by her attacker, who reportedly shouted “Britain first” during the assault.

Speaking to the Tribune, Islington South and Finsbury MP Emily Thornberry paid tribute to the mother-of-two she described as a “powerhouse”.

“We are all deeply and profoundly shocked by this,” she said. “Jo had been elected in 2015. She was petite, lively and always seemed to be wearing a red dress.

“She was a real powerhouse and definitely a rising star. She was also a mother of young children.”

Speaking about the safety of MPs, Ms Thornberry added: “You are in public office and you have an obligation to be publicly available and with that comes a risk.

“We need to have a period of reflection of our attitudes to Parliament and politics and remember that politicians are just people who are trying to do their best, and that should never be out of the question.”

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, the Islington North MP, said Ms Cox had a “deep commitment to humanity” and was “universally liked” in Westminster.

“Jo had a lifelong record of public service,” he said. “She was dedicated to getting us to live up to our promises to support the developing world and strengthen human rights – and she brought those values and principles with her when she became an MP.

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

He added: “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, and what she stood for.”

• Keywords
  MURDER, MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, SAFETY
• Persons keyword
  , Jo Cox, Emily Thornberry, Jeremy Corbyn