South-east London and north Kent MPs join tributes after Jo Cox dies in West Yorkshire shooting

Mother-of-two Mrs Cox, 41, was holding her weekly surgery near a library in Birstall, West Yorkshire, when she was attacked.

Mrs Cox, Labour MP for Batley and Spen, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 52-year-old man, named locally as Tommy Mair, was arrested in the area and is currently in police custody.

A man named locally as Tommy Mair has been arrested

Tributes have poured in from across south-east London and north Kent.

Dartford MP Gareth Johnson said: "I found Jo Cox to be a very pleasant person who was committed to the things she believed in. It makes you stop and think about how life can be so cruelly cut short.

"The whole country has been shocked by this incident and I know that everyone in the Houses of Parliament will be deeply affected by this tragedy."

much love to @Jo_Cox1 , her family and staff . xx

— teresa pearce (@tpearce003) June 16, 2016

Utterly devastating that Jo Cox has died. A tragic loss of a passionate & dedicated public servant. Heartfelt thoughts with her family.

— James Brokenshire (@JBrokenshire) June 16, 2016

Can't stop thinking about my intelligent, principled & beautiful colleague @Jo_Cox1. Love to her family.

— Heidi Alexander (@heidi_mp) June 16, 2016

Utterly, utterly devastated that my brilliant, principled and compassionate friend and colleague @Jo_Cox1 has been murdered. Heartbreaking.

— Matthew Pennycook MP (@mtpennycook) June 16, 2016

So sad to hear the news about @jo_cox1 my thoughts are with her and her family at this time

— vickyfoxcroft (@vickyfoxcroft) June 16, 2016

Absolutely shocked to hear the terrible news that Jo Cox has been attacked in her constituency. My thoughts are with her and her family.

— Bob Neill (@neill_bob) June 16, 2016

My thoughts are with Jo Cox absolutely devastated

— Clive Efford (@CliveEfford) June 16, 2016

Very hard to find the words for the awful news about Jo Cox. My thoughts with her family & friends. A terrible loss of a wonderful person.

— Jonathon Hawkes (@CllrJonHawkes) June 16, 2016

Gravesham MP Adam Holloway added: "I didn't know her, but she wasn't your typical MP but she died serving her constituents and being an MP which is something we will continue to do."

Bexley Council will fly a flag at half-mast above the Civic Offices in Watling Street today (June 17) in honour of Mrs Cox.

She is the first sitting MP to be killed since 1990, when Ian Gow was the last in a string of politicians to die at the hands of Northern Irish terror groups.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "Everyone who met Jo knew she was special. I knew her from her time as a fearless campaigner working on behalf of some of the world’s poorest and most marginalised people and helped her, a little, in her campaign to become the Labour candidate and MP for Batley and Spen.

"Jo was one of the smartest and most independently minded MPs, respected by people from all parties."

Mrs Cox told parliament that her constituency had been "enhanced" by immigration.

She said: "We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us."

Her husband Brendan Cox, said: "Today is the beginning of a new chapter in our lives - more difficult, more painful, less joyful, less full of love.

"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."