Jo Cox: Emotional tributes paid to MP at vigils around the UK

Emotional tributes have been paid to Jo Cox tonight as vigils were held around the UK in honour of the murdered MP.

In London several hundred people gathered at Parliament Square where flowers and messages of condolences were laid on the grass opposite the Houses of Parliament and a two-minute silence was held as Big Ben struck 8pm.

Following the silence at Westminster MP Wes Streeting paid a heartfelt tribute to his friend and former colleague and speaking in a wavering voice said that "the last 24 hours have felt as though we are drowning in tears for our friend".

And former Labour party leader Ed Miliband added to the tributes as he remembered Ms Cox as "a fighter for justice in everything that she did" and "somebody who showed no fear in the face of danger".

Meanwhile in her constituency of Batley queues built up outside the Town Hall as people waited to sign a book of condolences.

In Birmingham hundreds of people gathered at the city's Victoria Square for a minute's silence after which some mourners held up pictures of the respected MP and community leaders urged the public to remember her legacy and to not let "hate triumph."

A vigil was also held for Ms Cox and in Glasgow where Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale paid tribute to her as someone who was "the very definition of a moral crusade, wrapped up in humour and love".

Speaking after the crowd applauded as flowers were lain for Ms Cox at the city's George Square, Ms Dugdale also recalled how her colleague had "believed fundamentally in the right of everyone on this earth to live in peace, of justice, and of prosperity".