Monday, June 20, 2016

UK MPs pay tribute to Jo Cox

British MPs have paid emotional tributes in Westminster, to their murdered colleague Jo Cox. 

The 41 year-old mother of two was killed in her own constituency on Thursday. 

UK Parliament was recalled just days before the EU Referendum, for the politicians to pay their respects. 

Our UK correspondent Martha Holeyman reports.

+++++

IN: "The House of Commons
OUT: SOC
DUR: 2:20

AIR: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0620jocoxtribute-mh-air.mp3
ARN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0620jocoxtribute-mh-arn.mp3
938 LIVE:  http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0620jocoxtribute-mh-938.mp3
FM4:  http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0620jocoxtribute-mh-fm4.mp3
ICRT: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0620jocoxtribute-mh-icrt.mp3
NIGERIA: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0620jocoxtribute-mh-von.mp3
RNZ: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0620jocoxtribute-mh-rnz.mp3
VATICAN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0620jocoxtribute-mh-vat.mp3
ZIZ: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0620jocoxtribute-mh-ziz.mp3
GENERIC:  http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0620jocoxtribute-mh-gen.mp3
SABC:  http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0620jocoxtribute-mh-sabc.mp3

+++

VO: The House of Commons was full of politicians wearing white roses in memory of Jo Cox who was murdered in her own constituency. 

But in the seat where Ms Cox usually sat was instead a red and a white rose.

Saying they had gathered in 'heartbreaking sadness', he leader of the house of commons John Bercow led the tributes by describing the lady they all knew.

CLIP: Devoted to her family and a relentless campaigner for equality, human rights and social justice.

VO: Leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn described Jo Cox as one of the very best, and spoke about her hard work for vulnerable people.

CLIP: 
Her campaigning on refugees, Syria and the rights of woman and girls made her stand out as an MP who always put the lives of the most vulnerable at the heart of her work.

VO: Politicians told anecdotes, some short and simple, others complex, touching and funny.

UK Prime Minister took a moment to describe the first time he met the MP.

CLIP: I first met JO in 2006 in Darfur, she was doing what she was so brilliant at. Bravely working in one of the most dangerous parts of the world, fighting for the lives of refugees. Her decision to welcome me, then a conservative leader of the opposition was not entirely welcome by all her colleagues and friends. But it was typical of her determination to reach across partly lines on issues that she felt were so much more important than party politics.

VO: Mrs Cox's husband and two children were sat in the Public Gallery to hear the tributes, many of which were extremely emotional.

MPs broke down in tears as they remembered someone who was not just a colleague but a lifelong friend.

Mrs Cox's Labour Party Colleague and friend Stephen Kinnock took the chance to criticise the tone of the political debate around immigration in the House of Commons.

CLIP: When insecurity, fear and anger are used to light a fuse, then an explosion is inevitable.

VO: Mrs Cox is the first sitting MP to be murdered since 1990.

52 year old Thomas Mair from West Yorkshire remains in custody and faces charges of murder.

END