Monmouth MP David Davies today paid a moving tribute to Labour MP Jo Cox, who was killed in an attack in her Yorkshire constituency yesterday.

Mrs Cox, Labour MP for Batley and Spen, was left bleeding on the ground after the attack in Birstall, West Yorkshire. A man was arrested nearby and is now in police custody.

Mr Davies, a Tory, said the death of his parliamentary colleague reverberated through the nation.

“The brutal murder of Jo Cox MP has horrified us all. She was clearly a rising parliamentary star and will be terribly missed. It is hard to find words to convey the shock that everybody feels on hearing news like this. 

 

“When MPs appear on the television or radio, it is usually because we are arguing passionately with each other about something. It is easy to assume that heated discussions in a two minute interview reflect the way we always interact.

“In fact nothing could be further from the truth. MPs of all parties spend many hours in one another’s company and very often form good friendships - and certainly respect.

“When MPs die, particularly in tragic circumstances, the words of praise from political opponents are sincerely meant. 

“It is a shame that the reality of political competition prevents us from offering the same praise in public to political rivals that we often feel they deserve. 

Mr Davies said that, in respect of the family and police investigation, rushing to conclusions should be avoided.

 

“As I write this, the full facts around Thursday’s tragedy are not known. Already I hear well-meant suggestions that MPs should have much more security, especially at constituency advice surgeries.

“I believe we should not rush to conclusions.

“Indeed, I went ahead with my surgery in Monmouth on Friday. MPs do have to deal with verbal abuse and threats from angry members of the public, but they are not alone. NHS staff working in A&E during weekends or bus drivers on late shifts will know the feeling, as do many other public servants.

“As a society, we need to think about how to encourage greater levels of respect for each other.”

Mr Davies added that police had been in contact to offer some protection.

 

“Gwent Police were very kind and called to offer support, which I politely refused. I have a great love for Monmouthshire and those who live here and I could not envisage doing this job with police protection.

??“I’m certain Jo Cox would have felt the same way. The best response we can give to her memory is for MPs to carry on trying to help people as best we can, and perhaps be willing to show each other the courtesy in life which, sadly, we usually only publicly acknowledge when people have died.”