Labour MP Jo Cox shot | RIP Jo Cox

Shot in Birstall apparently. (From the Guardian).

Jo Cox, the MP for Batley and Spen, has been shot in her West Yorkshire constituency, according to reports.

The Labour politician was injured in the attack and there is an ongoing police operations in the area, a witness told the Press Association.

Armed officers are reportedly on the scene in Birstall, near Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. West Yorkshire police said in a tweet: “We are aware of a serious incident ongoing in Birstall. Details will be released in the press in due course.”

The 42-year-old was elected to parliament in 2015, having previously worked internationally as a head of policy and humanitarian campaigning for Oxfam.
Click to expand...
 
The football can take second place for a bit.

The last such incident i can recall was Stephen Timms, and i think that took place in his constituency surgery. Thankfully he survived, hopefully the same is so here.
 
Twitter: MP Jo Cox is being flown to Leeds General Infirmary. Eye-witness to Sky News says she was caught in cross-fire in altercation b/n two men
 
As Sky News reports, citing unconfirmed reports from witnesses have suggested that the shooter shouted "Britain First".
 
Sir Matt said:
Can someone explain what an "advice surgery" is?
Click to expand...

Also had to look it up:

A political surgery (in British politics) or clinic is a series of one-to-one meetings that a Member of Parliament (MP) may have with his or her constituents, at which a constituent may raise issues of local concern. The issues may relate to local issues (street crime, litter, a request for intervention by the MP on behalf of the constituent with local or national government) or it could deal with national policy matters.
Click to expand...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surgery_(politics)
 
A West Yorkshire police spokesman said: “At 12.53 today, police were called to a report of an incident on Market Street, Birstall, where a woman in her 40s had suffered serious injuries and is in a critical condition.

“A man in his late 40s to early 50s nearby also suffered slight injuries. Armed officers attended and a 52-year-old man was arrested in the area. There are no further details at present.

“Police presence in the area has been increased as a reassurance to the community.”
Click to expand...
Update from the Guardian.
 
Sir Matt said:
Can someone explain what an "advice surgery" is?
Click to expand...
the MP hosts an open session where constituents can come and receive advice and discuss issues (eg disabled relative not getting benefits they believe he is entitled to - the MP can tell them alternate routes or potentially even take up the case and raise it formally)
 
Thanks. We have that with Congressmen/women but they don't have a proper name. I didn't know if people got paid in the UK for just giving general advice as a job.

Brexiters keeping things in perspective:
 
Sir Matt said:
Thanks.

Brexiters keeping things in perspective:
Click to expand...
As fervent as a 'Remainer' as I am, it's not fair to talk about Griffin as if he is remotely representative of the Leave vote. He's more or less a Nazi.
 
Eye witness Clarke Rothwell told BBC News said there was an altercation between a man carrying a gun and Cox.

He purposefully targeted her, said Rothwell who runs the cafe next to the library where the incident took place.

He shot this lady and then shot her again.

He lent down. Someone was wrestling with him and he was wielding a knife and lunging at her. Three times she was shot.

People were trying to help her.

Then he ran off down a one-way street. Me and my mate drove round to try and find him.
Click to expand...

The whole incident lasted about 15 to 20 minutes according to witness Mr Abdallah, and another bystander told him Ms Cox had also been stabbed.

He added: "He was kicking her and he was pulling her by her hair. A very courageous man from the dry cleaners tried to restrain him and he couldn't stop him because all of a sudden he pulled a gun. She was a standing still target for him when he shot her."
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
DiseaseOfTheAge said:
As fervent as a 'Remainer' as I am, it's not fair to talk about Griffin as if he is remotely representative of the Leave vote. He's more or less a Nazi.
Click to expand...

Most just ride around the Thames in boats arguing with Bob Geldof.

If the shooter did shout "Britain first," it's not exactly a great PR situation for Brexit.
 
Sir Matt said:
Most just ride around the Thames in boats arguing with Bob Geldof.

If the shooter did shout "Britain first," it's not exactly a great PR situation for Brexit.
Click to expand...
Are you familiar with the group Britain First?
 
Sir Matt said:
Thanks. We have that with Congressmen/women but they don't have a proper name. I didn't know if people got paid in the UK for just giving general advice as a job.

Brexiters keeping things in perspective:
Click to expand...


"Can't stand her politics". He might as well be saying, "I sort of condone this" or "I can understand why someone might have done this".
 
Pexbo said:
"Can't stand her politics". He might as well be saying, "I sort of condone this" or "I can understand why someone might have done this".
Click to expand...
I'm not sure that's true. I mean, I 'can't stand his politics' by which I do mean I would understand someone wanting to shoot him... but I don't think that's what he was thinking.
 
DiseaseOfTheAge said:
Are you familiar with the group Britain First?
Click to expand...

Yes, but this is a reminder of their existence and their beliefs and may make people wary of Brexit. Do people want to support a candidate like Trump knowing he's supported by David Duke and the KKK? Not exactly.
 
Silva said:
It's a pretty classic apologist response "I obviously don't condone this, but if I was going to..
Click to expand...
I can see the argument but I'm just not convinced. I think it's more 'I obviously need to say this is bad but I feel the need to state I don't support her politics'.

He really is very thick. He's quite capable of thinking that's an appropriate tweet.
 
Sir Matt said:
Yes, but this is a reminder of their existence and their beliefs and may make people wary of Brexit. Do people want to support a candidate like Trump knowing he's supported by David Duke and the KKK? Not exactly.
Click to expand...
No shortage of horrendous people on either side.
 
DiseaseOfTheAge said:
I can see the argument but I'm just not convinced. I think it's more 'I obviously need to say this is bad but I feel the need to state I don't support her politics'.

He really is very thick. He's quite capable of thinking that's an appropriate tweet.
Click to expand...
He means that he doesn't agree with her politics but that's no reason to shoot her. Which is another way of saying that the perp might not have agreed with her politics but that's no reason for him to shoot her. Which is another way of saying you might not agree with someone's politics but you don't shoot them.
 
Red Defence said:
He means that he doesn't agree with her politics but that's no reason to shoot her. Which is another way of saying that the perp might not have agreed with her politics but that's no reason for him to shoot her. Which is another way of saying you might not agree with someone's politics but you don't shoot them.
Click to expand...
I think so. It's really poorly put though - but as I say, he is not a clever man so that's not surprising.
 
"When I looked round there's a man stood there in his 50s with a white baseball cap on and a jacket with a gun, an old fashioned looking gun in his hand," he said.

"He shot this lady once and then he shot her again, he fell to the floor, leant over shot her once more in the face area.

"Somebody tried to grab him, wrestling with him and then he wielded a knife, like a hunting knife, just started lunging at her with a knife half a dozen times. People were screaming and running from the area".

Eyewitness Hithem Ben Abdallah, said the 41-year-old mother of two was left lying and bleeding on the pavement after the incident.
Click to expand...

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-36550304

Doesn't sound encouraging for her chances if that's accurate :(
 
Sir Matt said:
Yes, but this is a reminder of their existence and their beliefs and may make people wary of Brexit. Do people want to support a candidate like Trump knowing he's supported by David Duke and the KKK? Not exactly.
Click to expand...

It's not really relevant. There are tonnes of racists that support our football clubs. It means nothing. You can't really help dickheads taking an interest in you.
 
Only just heard about this, it's only about a 5 minute drive away from me... really shocking stuff.

I've met Jo once or twice, very nice person.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.