WEST Yorkshire Police have launched a murder investigation following the death of Labour MP Jo Cox.
According to police, the attack on Ms Cox happened at Market Street, Birstall in Yorkshire at 12.53pm today, June 16.
Ms Cox, who was 41, was pronounced dead by paramedics on the scene at 1.48pm.
Police confirmed a firearm was recovered and that Ms Cox was attacked by a man who inflicted 'serious and ultimately fatal injuries'.
A 52-year-old man has been arrested after officers were called to the scene.
A 77-year-old man, who sustained non-life threatening injuries, was also attacked nearby.
Temporary Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police Dee Collins said: "A full investigation is underway to establish the motive for this murder.
"This is a very significant investigation with a large number of witnesses that are being spoken to by the police at this time.
"There is a large and significant crime scene and there is a large police presence in the area.
"We are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident at this time."
Forensic police arrive at the scene in Birstall Pictures by Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesWest Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns Williamson, added: "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."
Shoes and a bag were left at the sceneThe Irish Post’s West Yorkshire correspondent Peter Fawcett described Birstall as a close knit community.
He said locals are shocked by the news of Ms Cox’s death, who was an MP for Batley and Spen.
She was attacked on Market Street, which is close to the village’s Irish National Club on High Street.
Mr Fawcett, who worked as a council gardener in the area for over 30 years, said: “I can’t remember something like this happening in the area before. People would do anything for you in Birstall. The whole of Birstall will be shocked that this has happened.”
Police have launched a murder investigationIn a statement Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "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 today."
"Jo Cox 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 Cox died doing per public duty at the heart of our democracy, listening to and representing the people she was elected to serve. It was a profoundly important cause for us all."
The whole of the Labour family, and indeed the whole country, is in shock and grief at the horrific murder of Jo Cox pic.twitter.com/obic5pOCS3
— Jeremy Corbyn MP (@jeremycorbyn) June 16, 2016
Earlier today, Fianna Fáil Foreign Affairs spokesperson Darragh O’Brien condemned the attack.
He said: “The news that a member of parliament was attacked in this way is deeply shocking. People’s immediate thoughts will be with her husband and two young children.
“Violence against an elected representative is an attack on democracy. While details are still emerging, it appears that there may have been some sort of political motive behind the attack, with reports that the assailant shouted ‘Britain First’ as he attacked the MP.”
Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin TD also offered his and his party’s condolences.
“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.
Jo Cox leaves behind her husband Brendan Cox and two young children.
Mr Cox had posted this photo of his wife on Twitter today.
— Brendan Cox (@MrBrendanCox) 16 June 2016
Having been raised in Heckmondwike and Batley, Ms Cox had attended Cambridge and was one of the first in her family to graduate from university.
She was co-chair of the Friends of Syria All Party Parliamentary Group, she had previously worked with aid agency Oxfam and was head of humanitarian campaigning in New York and head of the organisation’s Brussels office.
She was also a former chair of the Labour Women’s Network she had worked with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and The Freedom Fund, a charity working to end modern slavery.
In a Tweet, Prime Minster David Cameron confirmed he was suspending his EU campaigning for today, adding that "our thoughts are with Jo Cox and her family".
It's right that all campaigning has been stopped after the terrible attack on Jo Cox. I won't go ahead with tonight's rally in Gibraltar.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) June 16, 2016
