Jo Cox killing: Shock after MP dies after being shot and stabbed in the street

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said he was "deeply saddened by news of the death of Jo Cox".

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "The death of Jo Cox is a tragedy. She was a committed and caring MP. My thoughts are with her husband Brendan and her two young children."

Former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said: "Absolutely devastating news about Jo Cox. Truly dreadful. One of the brightest and best of the new MPs and a great loss to the country."

Lord (William) Hague said: "Terribly sad to hear of the death of Jo Cox, senselessly killed working for her constituents."

Former Cabinet minister Iain Duncan Smith said: "I am shocked and saddened to hear that Jo Cox has died as the result of this brutal attack. My prayers are with her family at this terrible time."

READ MORE: Husband of murdered MP Jo Cox urges people to 'fight against the hatred that killed her'

Theresa May said Ms Cox was one of the "brightest and most popular" MPs and the pain her family and friends are suffering is "unimaginable".

The Home Secretary added: "Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this terrible time.

"The full details of what happened outside Jo's constituency surgery in Birstall this afternoon are not yet clear and until the facts have been fully established I will not comment further.

"It is entirely appropriate that all campaigning for the referendum has been suspended.

"All of us are united in our deep sadness at the loss of one of our brightest and most popular Westminster colleagues."

READ MORE: Husband of murdered MP Jo Cox urges people to 'fight against the hatred that killed her'

Former Labour MP Joan Walley, in whose parliamentary office Ms Cox had worked before becoming an MP herself, was being interviewed on BBC Radio 4's PM programme as news of her death came in.

A clearly distressed Ms Walley said: "Nothing has prepared me to be in a situation where I'm live on BBC radio to pay tribute to a really, truly special and compassionate woman, who totally believed in public service, who totally believed in eradicating poverty, who totally wanted to see environmental improvements, with a young family and a whole life in politics in front of her.

READ MORE: Husband of murdered MP Jo Cox urges people to 'fight against the hatred that killed her'

"Words can't express what I feel because Jo's life and everything she believed in are so badly needed now. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and I just hope all Jo's many family, friends, admirers, whatever political side they are, will unite to think about her, to think about our parliamentary democracy and to think what we can do together to be true to the things she believed in."

Former international development secretary Andrew Mitchell told PM: "My thoughts - as everyone across Parliament's will be - are with her husband Brendan and her two lovely little children, who used to come into Portcullis House to have tea with her during the week.

"It is an unspeakable and un-understandable event that has taken place, and Parliament and her constituents will be much the poorer for her passing.

"But it's her family and those two little children who we must be thinking about now."

Labour MP Jess Phillips said: "My heart is broken. She was amazing, a brave giant who stood against bullies."

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said: "Deeply saddened by news of the death of Jo Cox."

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "I didn't know Jo Cox but by all accounts she was a brilliant young MP. And today she was just doing her job. My heart breaks for her family."

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: "I am utterly heartbroken at the news of the death of Jo Cox. This is a devastating attack on our peaceful society."

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: "There will be time to talk about what the savage murder of an elected representative means for our democracy but that's for another day. Today we mourn the loss of one of our own.

"Jo was an extraordinary woman. She devoted her life to helping people in the darkest places in our world. Our hearts are broken by the loss of one of our country's brightest hopes. We mourn not just the woman she was but the loss of everything she would have achieved.

"Our thoughts and love are with her husband Brendan and her children. That their pain and loss is shared by people across the Labour family and people around the world is testament to how special the life Jo led was. In time we hope that will be some comfort to them."

Labour's Yvette Cooper said Ms Cox had been "one of liveliest, bravest and most passionate MPs" while her husband Ed Balls said there were "no words to describe how awful this is".

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "Our memories will be for ever scarred by this moment. Our hearts will always be hurt at our country's loss. Jo Cox was the most vivacious, personable, dynamic and committed friend you could ever have. Whenever you talked to her, the compassion in her eyes and the commitment in her soul shone through. Years of public service advancing the causes she cared passionately about should have been ahead of her.

"Sarah and I were privileged to work with Jo and her husband Brendan over many years and in her tireless efforts on behalf of poor and desolate children and mothers. She she went to some of the most dangerous places in the world. The last place she should have been in danger was in her home town.

"People will say that this does not happen in Britain. This should not happen in Britain. And we must resolve that this will never again happen in Britain.

"My and Sarah's thoughts and prayers are with Brendan and their two young children. They will have all our support in the difficult days ahead.

"For them and for those of us who were Jo's friends, this is a devastating day. And it is a devastating blow to our democracy."

Sarah Brown said: "I am heartbroken. Jo had a truly remarkable spirit and passion that shone through in her work with Oxfam and with me on our countless campaigns for women and children.

"Jo cared about everybody but she reserved a special place in her heart for the most vulnerable and the poorest citizens of the world.

"She was fearless, she was endlessly upbeat and she reached out to so many to join her cause. Her mission was to make the world a better place.

"But above all else Jo had utter devotion to her husband Brendan and their two children."

Boris Johnson said: "Just heard the absolutely horrific news about the attack on Jo Cox MP. My thoughts are with Jo and her family. Sad & shocked to hear of Jo Cox's death. Appalling an MP should lose her life simply doing her best for constituents."

Tanya Steele, the interim chief executive of Save the Children, said: "Our heartfelt thoughts are with the family of Jo Cox.

"She has been a great friend and supporter of Save the Children, fighting for the rights of children here in the UK and around the world.

"As a member of Parliament, she was an outspoken advocate for the children of Syria.

"At this terrible time, our sincere condolences go to Jo's husband Brendan who was Save the Children's director of policy and advocacy until last year."

Mr Cameron said in a statement: "This is absolutely tragic and dreadful news and my thoughts are with Jo's husband Brendan, their two children and wider family. We've lost a great star. She had a big heart and people are going to be very, very sad at what has happened.

"She was a very strong campaigning MP. She had a great track record of caring about refugees and had taken a big interest in how we can look after Syrian refugees and do the right thing in our world. She was a star for her constituents, a star in Parliament and a star right across the House.

"It's right that we are suspending campaigning activity in this referendum and everyone's thoughts will be with Jo's family and her constituents at this terrible time."

Downing Street said flags across Whitehall will be lowered to half mast.

Ukip leader Nigel Farage said: "Deeply saddened to hear that Jo Cox has died. Sincerest condolences to her family."

Employment minister Priti Patel said: "The saddest news about Jo. A dedicated public servant. A lovely lady, a mother & a wife. All love & thoughts with Brendan and their children."

Labour former deputy leader Harriet Harman said: "Jo's death is an absolute tragedy. She was dynamic and fearless. Elected only a year ago she was a beacon among the new generation of young Labour women MPs. So full of promise for the future, so committed to progressive politics. Jo's politics were always about bringing people together and never about creating divisions.

"She put into practice her belief that politicians must be amongst the people they represent and she was, in every town, village and community in her constituency.

"We were immensely proud of her and are devastated by her loss.

"Her children will now have to grow up without their mother but we will make sure that they know what an amazing, progressive and principled politician their mother was and how much we admired her."

Len McCluskey, leader of the Unite union, said: "This is the most appalling crime. Two young children have lost their mum, Jo's husband has lost his wife and a family has had a deeply loved member taken from them.

"Our deepest condolences go to Jo's husband, their children, her wider family, and to the Labour Party to whom she was very dear.

"Jo was doing what she believed in and was passionate about, standing up for the people and the community she represented.

"We must honour her in the best way possible, to carry on her work of uniting people and never letting division or despair win the day."

John Hannett, general secretary of the shopworkers union Usdaw, said: "It is truly shocking to hear the news that Jo Cox was murdered on the streets of her constituency. Our thoughts are with Jo's family and friends.

"Usdaw was proud to have nominated Jo as the Labour candidate in Batley and Spen, she was a true friend of the union and a very hardworking MP.

"We, amongst many others, will miss Jo. Her death will send shockwaves throughout the political world and wider community."

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said: "We're united in grief today at the terrible loss of Jo Cox. Brutally murdered as she served constituents. May her memory be for a blessing."

A statement from Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "This is utterly shocking and tragic news, which has left everyone stunned. My thoughts this evening are with Jo Cox's family - my heart breaks for them.

"Although I didn't know Jo personally, I know she was held in huge regard as a brilliant young woman, who had already contributed a huge amount in her time in Parliament, and today she was simply going about her job as a local MP.

"My thoughts and condolences also go to Jo's colleagues in the Labour Party and to the many friends she had clearly made across the political spectrum."

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said: "The death of Jo Cox is terrible, most for her family & friends, but also for what the whole country has lost. We pray for those who mourn."

And Ireland's Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said: "The circumstances of the attack on Mrs Cox and her resulting death are truly shocking. I extend my sincere condolences to Jo's husband, family and friends and colleagues in the Labour Party.

"My thoughts are with them all in their devastating loss."

Opposition leader in Ireland, Fianna Fail's Micheal Martin, cancelled Remain campaign engagements in Belfast for Friday.

"The news of Jo Cox's killing comes as a terrible shock and will reverberate across these islands. Our thoughts are with her young family and her colleagues in the Labour Party and across parliament," he said.

Stephen Kinnock, the Labour MP for Aberavon, shared a Parliamentary office with Ms Cox and he described her death as a "senseless tragedy".

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's PM programme he described her as a "ball of energy" who was "always bouncing around".

He said: "It was a privilege to know her and it's just impossible to understand.

"The whole Labour movement will be much, much poorer for this and Parliament as well.

"She was somebody that really reached out across political divides as well - right across the House she was engaging and charming but a tough cookie as well.

"It's a tragedy which you cannot find the words to express."

Mark Lever, chief executive of the National Autistic Society, said: "Not only was she one of the first of the new MPs to start working with our charity in Parliament, but she campaigned hard locally to improve the lives of autistic people and their families.

"She saw that autism diagnosis waiting times for children in her home of Kirklees were far too long, and worked closely alongside local campaigners to highlight the issue. Thanks to these tireless efforts, her local NHS brought in additional support to clear the waiting list backlog and put in place measures to reduce diagnosis waiting times in future. She really made a difference.

"In our meetings with her she was clear that this campaign was only the start and she wanted to do all she could to improve the lives of her constituents on the autism spectrum.

"Our thoughts are with her husband, children and friends and hardworking staff at this difficult time."

Former Labour leader Ed Miliband said: "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."

He praised Mr Cox's "extraordinary dignity, love and compassion", adding: "Brendan - we all stand with you and grieve with you."

Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International UK, said: "We are extremely saddened to hear this tragic news. Jo was a tireless campaigner for justice and human rights.

"Her campaigning on refugees, Syria and the rights of women and girls made her stand out as an MP who always put the lives of the most vulnerable at the heart of her work.

"We are proud to have worked with her and the thoughts of everyone at Amnesty International are with her family at this sad time."

The chairman of the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee, Keith Vaz, said: "Jo was well respected and loved by so many. She was passionate, committed and dedicated to her constituents and to the causes that she believed in.

"This is unbelievable that in Britain in the 21st century that an elected official has been murdered whilst doing her job."

Former Labour MEP Baroness (Glenys) Kinnock paid tribute to "my beloved friend Jo Cox".

Lady Kinnock said: "The tragic death of Jo Cox is devastating. I send all my love to Brendan, their children and her devoted parents.

"Jo came to work for me on overseas development in the European Parliament 20 years ago and we have been close friends and allies ever since. I was overjoyed when she had her lovely children and thrilled by her continual and deserved successes."

Labour's leader in the European Parliament, Glenis Willmott, said: "Jo dedicated her life to public service, as an MP, a charity worker and an activist.

"She is fondly remembered by colleagues who worked with her in the European Parliament and she will be deeply missed. It is simply incomprehensible that something so horrific could happen to Jo while she was working hard to serve her constituents."

Former US Congresswoman for Arizona Gabrielle Giffords, who was the victim of an assassination attempt in 2011, also paid tribute.

She tweeted: "Absolutely sickened to hear of the assassination of Jo Cox. She was young, courageous, and hardworking. A rising star, mother, and wife."

Joe Cerrell, of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in London said: "We are utterly devastated by the news of Jo's murder.

"She was a remarkable, compassionate, and brilliant champion of women and girls everywhere. Our thoughts are with her husband, Brendan, and their two children at this saddest of times. She was a shining light and she will be missed by so many."