Burnham-On-Sea’s MP James Heappey has spoken of his deep shock and sadness after a fellow MP was killed after being stabbed and shot in a street in Yorkshire yesterday (Thursday).
Jo Cox, Labour MP for Batley and Spen, was left bleeding on the ground after the horrific attack in West Yorkshire and later died.
One eyewitness told the BBC they heard her attacker shout “put Britain first” at least twice beforehand. The Vote Leave and Remain canpaigns both suspended their campaigning in the EU referendum in light of the attack.
Burnham’s MP James Heappey told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “My office was stunned as first we heard news that Jo Cox had been so brutally attacked and then, far worse, that the attack had been fatal.”
“She had been running her surgery in her local library, exactly as I do every week. She was doing her job, serving her constituents and trying to make a difference for the better in their lives.”
He added: “In my old job, friends and colleagues were killed doing their duty but somehow today feels so different. In Iraq and Afghanistan you always knew it could happen. But outside a library in West Yorkshire?”
“Campaigning for the referendum has stopped. Quite right. But our work as MPs cannot. The tiny minority who won’t accept the disagreements that come with democracy will not stop me or any other MP from doing the job that I love and serving the community where I live.”
“My surgery today (Friday) is at Wells Library from 3-4.30pm. When I’m finished, I’m going to stand outside for a minute or two and privately say a little prayer for Jo Cox. You’re very welcome to join me.”
