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MPs return to Parliament in 'heartbreaking sadness' to pay tribute to Jo Cox

The House of Commons has met in "heartbreaking sadness" and "heartfelt solidarity" to pay tribute to Labour MP Jo Cox, Speaker John Bercow said as several parliamentarians broke down in tears.

The Batley and Spen MP and married mother-of-two was killed as she prepared to hold a constituency surgery on Thursday.

The tributes were followed by a service of prayer and remembrance at nearby St Margaret's Church - often referred to as the "parish church of the Commons".

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Cameron: Jo Cox 'epitomised the best of humanity'

As David Cameron paid tribute to Labour MP Jo Cox spoke of the sadness the country felt at the killing of the "loving, determined, passionate and progressive politician".

He said: "We are here today to remember an extraordinary colleague and friend. Jo Cox was a voice of compassion whose irrepressible spirit and boundless energy lit up the lives of all who knew her, and saved the lives of many she never, ever met.

"Today we grieve her loss, and we hold in our hearts and prayers her husband Brendan, her parents and sister, and her two children who are just three and five years-old.

"We express our anger at the sickening and despicable attack that killed her as she did her job serving her constituents on the streets of Birstall.

"Let me join the leader of the Opposition in his moving words in praising Bernard Kenny and all those who tried to save her.

"But above all in this House we pay tribute to a loving, determined, passionate and progressive politician, who epitomised the best of humanity and who proved so often the power of politics to make our world a better place."

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