Conservatives Announce They Will Not Contest The Seat As Tributes Pour In For Local MP Jo Cox

The Conservative Party will not contest the by-election in Batley and Spen resulting from the death of Labour MP Jo Cox, Downing Street has announced this lunchtime.

Vigils were held last night for Labour MP Jo Cox. Bradford has shown its support as a neighbouring authority by lowering the City Hall and Area Offices flags to half-mast immediately and holding a one minute's silence led by the Lord Mayor (Councillor Geoff Reid) and supported by his Chaplain (Revd Sarah Jemison). The particular timing for 1pm was at the request of Kirklees Council to coincide with their commemoration at the same time. A book of condolence has been opened at Bradford Cathedral. Hundreds packed into a church in Birstall and a vigil was also held outside Parliament for the Batley and Spenborough MP last night. Councillor Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council, said:

“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Jo’s family and friends at this truly awful time. This is an absolutely shocking incident that has robbed a family of a loving mother and wife who was simply doing her job, representing the people of Batley and Spen.

"This is a tragedy which cannot be allowed to undermine our democratic processes, processes that Jo was so proud to represent. Leeds as a neighbour stands united with Kirklees and our thoughts remain with Jo’s family as they try to come to terms with their dreadful loss.”

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said: "I am shocked and upset to hear such awful news.  Jo Cox demonstrated that she was an MP of principle and conviction.  That her life has been cut short in this way is terrible for the people of Batley & Spen.  But of course I feel particularly for her young children and husband who have been deprived of a loving mother and wife.  As near neighbours in West Yorkshire, Bradford sends sincere condolences to her family and to Kirklees at her loss."

Her attacker is reported to have shouted "put Britain first" at least twice. A 52-year-old man, named locally as Tommy Mair, has been arrested.

Brendan Cox, Jo Cox's husband

Jo believed in a better world and she fought for it everyday of her life with an energy, and a zest for life that would exhaust most people.

She would have wanted two things above all else to happen now, one that our precious children are bathed in love and two, that we all unite to fight against the hatred that killed her."

Announcing the tragic death yesterday afternoon Temporary Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police Dee Collins said: "I would like to express our deepest sympathies to her family and friends at this tragic time.

"Jo was attacked by a man, who inflicted serious and sadly, ultimately fatal injuries. Subsequently there was a further attack on a 77-year-old man, nearby who has sustained injuries that are non life threatening.

"Shortly afterwards, a man was arrested nearby by uniform police officers. Weapons including a firearm have also been recovered.

"At 1.48pm, Jo Cox was pronounced deceased by a doctor working with a paramedic crew that was attending to her serious injuries.

"This is a very significant investigation with a large number of witnesses that are being spoken to by the police at this time.  A full investigation is underway to establish the motive for this murder."

"We are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident at this time."

West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns Williamson, said: "My thoughts and prayers are with Jo’s family at this time.

"I have worked closely with Jo since she was elected and I am deeply shocked that such a talented young woman has been senselessly attacked and killed whilst working in her constituency and serving her community.

"This is a truly shocking incident but I want to reassure communities that our information is that this is a localised incident, albeit one that has a much wider impact.

"I must stress that investigations are ongoing, a man has been arrested, and we need to let the police do their job in understanding exactly what has happened that led up to this hugely tragic incident and channel all our thoughts into supporting the families and communities affected."

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the incident to contact 101.

Tributes have been flooding in from across the Political spectrum for the Batley and Spenborough  MP who leaves behind a husband and two small children. The Prime Minister David Cameron called her a "bright star" and her own Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn issued the following statement yesterday afternoon:

“The whole of the Labour Party and Labour family - and indeed the whole country - will be in shock at the horrific murder of Jo Cox.

“Jo had a lifelong record of public service and a deep commitment to humanity. She worked both for Oxfam and the anti-slavery charity, the Freedom Fund, before she was elected last year as MP for Batley and Spen – where she was born and grew up.

“Jo 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. It is a profoundly important cause for us all.

“Jo was universally liked at Westminster, not just by her Labour colleagues, but across Parliament.

“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.

“We send them our deepest condolences. We have lost a much loved colleague, a real talent and a dedicated campaigner for social justice and peace. But they have lost a wife and a mother, and our hearts go out to them.”