Summary

  • News, sport, weather and travel updates will resume at 08:00 on Monday

  • Live updates on Friday 17 June 2016

  1. Jo Cox murder: Assault on our democracypublished at 10:37 British Summer Time 17 June 2016

    All campaigning ahead of the EU referendum has been suspended after the killing of Labour MP Jo Cox and David Cameron has said Britain has lost "a great star".

    The BBC's James Landale assesses the impact of the murder on political discourse in the UK:

  2. The world's media descend on Birstallpublished at 10:34 British Summer Time 17 June 2016

    Following the death of Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox, the world's media has descended on Birstall:

    Media pack
    Media pack
    Media pack
  3. Labour MP on security: 'Jo would not want us to be hidden'published at 10:24 British Summer Time 17 June 2016

    Victoria Derbyshire

    Labour's Anna Turley has joined her fellow MP Clive Betts to pay tribute to Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox on the Victoria Derbyshire programme.

    Victoria Derbyshire

    Like Jo Cox, Ms Turley was first elected to Parliament in the 2015 general election. 

    She says many new parliamentarians are "shocked and taken aback at how much aggression there is towards MPs".

    She adds that security "needs to be looked at, but Jo would not want us to be hidden, behind walls".

  4. A 'proud Yorkshire lass' who became Batley and Spen MPpublished at 10:20 British Summer Time 17 June 2016

    BBC News England

    She was a self-proclaimed "proud Yorkshire lass" whose work for charity took her around the world and whose political success led her to Westminster.

    Jo Cox memorialImage source, AFP/Getty Images

    Jo Cox MP, who died on Thursday after being shot and stabbed in her constituency in Birstall, was elected as MP for Batley and Spen in the 2015 General Election.

    The 41-year-old mother-of-two increased Labour's majority to 6,051.

    Prime Minister David Cameron led the many tributes to her on Thursday. He described her as a "bright star". You can read her full obituary here.

  5. Book of condolence opens in Batley for Jo Cox MPpublished at 10:13 British Summer Time 17 June 2016

    Batley Parish Church will be open, external until 16.00 today so people can pay their respects to Jo Cox MP and her family.

    The church says there will be a book of condolence and candles to light. 

    CandlesImage source, Batley Parish Church
    Jo CoxImage source, Batley Parish Church
    Book of condolenceImage source, Batley Parish Church
  6. Jo Cox killing: Neighbours reactionpublished at 10:05 British Summer Time 17 June 2016

    BBC Radio 4

    A man arrested in connection with the killing of Batley and Spen Labour MP Jo Cox has been named locally as Tommy Mair.

    Mrs Cox was shot and stabbed yesterday afternoon in what police describe as a “horrific” assault.

    BBC reporter Ross Hawkins has spoken to Tommy Mair's neighbours:

  7. Referendum campaigning suspended until tomorrowpublished at 09:53 British Summer Time 17 June 2016

    Campaigning in the EU referendum remains suspended until tomorrow as a mark of respect following the death of Batley and Spen Labour MP Jo Cox.

    EU referendum campaigners
  8. Holly Lynch: Jo Cox made balancing a family life with being an MP 'look easy'published at 09:47 British Summer Time 17 June 2016

    Today Programme
    BBC Radio 4

    Jo Cox "was an absolute hero", according to Halifax Labour MP Holly Lynch, who was elected in 2015 - the same year as her late colleague

    Jo Cox and Holly LynchImage source, PA

    "She had young children, she had a family and that was a balancing act for Jo, but she made it look so easy," the Halifax MP said.

    Ms Lynch (pictured right with Mrs Cox) says she  had "dynamism and clarity", a passion and compassion for her constituents and beyond, but was someone who knew "we won't be here forever" and every opportunity needed to be taken.

    Ms Lynch said it was important to take safety concerns "very seriously but not let it stop you from being an effective MP".

    "I will never be able to forget what's happened to Jo and it's incredibly sad and you do have to bear in mind the safety of your staff," she added.

  9. Flags at half mast on Batley Town Hallpublished at 09:44 British Summer Time 17 June 2016

    Flags fly at half mast on Batley Town Hall this morning in memory of Jo Cox MP.

    Batley town hall
    Batley town hallImage source, Batley
  10. Aroma of flowers fills the air in Birstallpublished at 09:32 British Summer Time 17 June 2016

    Clare Mcdonnell
    Reporter, BBC 5Live

    I’m in the market square at the top of Market Street in Birstall this morning, about 100 yards from the blue and white police tape lines where Jo Cox MP was stabbed and shot yesterday.

    Floral tribute

    She only became an MP last year, and her death at the age of 41 with a young family has drawn a huge reaction from the people she served.

    The aroma of flowers is quite overpowering. People here have been leaving tributes here last night and this morning. 

    There's a note that says, "RIP Jo Cox, a friend and a fantastic campaigner. A bright, shining star has gone out tonight".

  11. EU TV debate cancelled after death of Jo Cox MPpublished at 09:25 British Summer Time 17 June 2016

    A live BBC TV debate on the UK's future in Europe has been cancelled following the death of Batley and Spen Labour MP Jo Cox.

    Jo CoxImage source, PA

    The 41-year-old died on Thursday after being shot and stabbed following a constituency surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire.

    First Minister Carwyn Jones and Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood were due to make the case for the Remain side.

  12. Killing of Jo Cox MP raises questions about securitypublished at 09:15

    James Landale
    BBC diplomatic correspondent

    The ability of MPs and their staff to engage with constituents goes to the heart of our parliamentary democracy.

    Candles in tribute to Jo Cox outside ParliamentImage source, Reuters

    MPs can represent us here at Westminster only because every week they go back home and meet us face to face.

    There will inevitably be another debate about MPs' security. Many are often subject to physical attack. But politics can't happen from behind a ring of steel.

    Jo Cox's death is not just an awful tragedy. It is also an assault on our democracy.

  13. Listen: Community in Batley remembers 'our Jo'published at 08:56 British Summer Time 17 June 2016

    Jenny Eells
    Reporter, BBC Radio Leeds

    I was in Batley last night after the news broke that the local MP Jo Cox had been killed in nearby Birstall.

    Residents there paid tribute to "our Jo":    

  14. 'We all grieve with you' - Former Labour leader Ed Milibandpublished at 08:48 British Summer Time 17 June 2016

    Former Labour leader Ed Miliband has praised Brendan Cox, the husband of murdered Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox, for his "extraordinary dignity, love and compassion". 

    In a statement, Mr Miliband added: "Brendan, we all stand with you and grieve with you."

    David MilibandImage source, Getty Images
    Quote Message

    My heart breaks for the loss of Jo Cox and for Brendan and their kids. She was so full of life and joy. Words feel hopeless right now."

    Ed Miliband, Former Labour Party Leader

  15. Rachel Reeves MP says her constituency office will be closed todaypublished at 08:37 British Summer Time 17 June 2016

    The Leeds West Labour MP Rachel Reeves says her constituency office will be closed today with "safety in mind" following the death of Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox.   

    Rachel Reeves and Liz Green

    Speaking to Liz Green on BBC Radio Leeds in the last few minutes she says it's about safety.

    Quote Message

    We have to think not only about our own safety but also our staff... They work in our offices, in our constituencies. I think until we know more, it's right we do this."

    Rachel Reeves, Leeds West Labour MP

  16. In Pictures: Floral tributes outside boarded-up office of Jo Cox MPpublished at 08:29 British Summer Time 17 June 2016

    This morning, floral tributes left by well-wishers have started to gather outside the boarded-up office of Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox.  

    Floral tributes
    Floral tributes
    Floral tributes
  17. Flags to fly at half mast in tribute to Jo Cox MPpublished at 08:19 British Summer Time 17 June 2016

    At Whitehall and Downing Street today flags will fly at half mast following the tragedy.

    Holyrood and Buckingham Palace will also lower their flags.

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  18. 'A force of nature, a five-foot bundle of Yorkshire grit' - Andrew Mitchell MPpublished at 08:10 British Summer Time 17 June 2016

    Tributes continue to flow in for Jo Cox MP, who set up the All Party Parliamentary Group on Syria with Conservative MP Andrew Mitchell.

    Andrew MitchellImage source, Reuters

    Writing in the Daily Telegraph, external, he describes her as "a force of nature, a five-foot bundle of Yorkshire grit and determination absolutely committed to helping other people". 

    The Secretary of State for International Development also describes the "fearless" way she gave the Russian ambassador a "rollicking" over his country's actions in Syria, leaving the diplomat "discomforted", and said the best word for her was "ballsy".

  19. Listen: How events unfolded in Birstallpublished at 07:53 British Summer Time 17 June 2016

    Cathy Killick
    Journalist, BBC Look North

    People in Birstall are attempting to come to terms today with the loss of one of their - Labour MP for Batley and Spen Jo Cox.

    Mrs Cox is the first member of the House of Commons to be murdered in office since 1990.

    As events unfolded yesterday, I was one of the first to arrive on the scene in Birstall: