From Batley to Belfast: Vigils are held in memory of MP Jo Cox

Communities devastated by the killing of Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox will be joined across the UK in mourning for the mother-of-two.
Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox.Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox.
Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox.

The 41-year-old’s West Yorkshire constituents will pay their respects this afternoon when books of condolence open at town halls in Huddersfield, Batley, Dewsbury and Cleckheaton from 1pm.

Kirklees Council will also stage a one minute silence across the region as a mark of respect for Mrs Cox from 1pm.

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Meanwhile, with flags at local authority buildings at half-mast across Yorkshire, minute silences will be observed outside Leeds Civic Hall and in Bradford’s Centenary Square at 1pm.

Mrs Cox died after being shot and stabbed outside Birstall Library, where she was holding an advice surgery for constituents, yesterday at around 1pm.

West Yorkshire Police confirmed that a doctor working with a paramedic crew pronounced her dead at 1.48pm. Officers arrested a man a short time later and weapons including a gun were seized.

Last night around 300 mourners at St Peter’s Church on Kirkgate, Birstall, only a short walk from the spot where Jo Cox was fatally attacked, to pay their respects to Mrs Cox.

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The show of support from local authorities in West Yorkshire will be mirrored across the country as vigils are held today and tomorrow.

Planned vigils (on Friday unless stated):

• George Square, Glasgow, at 7pm.

• Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, at 7pm.

• The Women and Child Statue, Lothian Road, Edinburgh, at 6.30pm.

• Peterborough Town Hall at 4.30pm.

• Outside the Senedd, Cardiff, at 6pm.

• Victoria Square, Birmingham, at 7pm.

• The Human Rights and Poverty Stone, Dublin, at 6pm.

• Castle Park, Colchester, at 6.30pm.

• Parliament Square, London, at 7pm.

• Belfast City Hall at 12noon.

• Forest Recreation Ground, Nottingham - Saturday at 7pm.