Mourners pay final respects to murdered MP Jo Cox

Hundreds of mourners lined the streets in Jo Cox's Batley and Spen constituency to pay their final respects to the murdered MP.

Mourners pay their respects as the funeral cortege carrying the coffin of murdered MP Jo Cox passes through Batley Market Square in Batley, north-west England. Picture: Getty Images

A grey Mercedes hearse drove slowly up Cambridge Street in the centre of Batley, West Yorks., at around 11.10am this morning (Fri).

Mourners broke out into spontaneous applause and threw sunflowers onto the roof and windscreen of the hearse as it slowly glided past.

Inside the hearse lay Jo’s wooden coffin, which was surrounded by four bunches of white and purple roses at the side and topped with a funeral spray.

Jo Cox. Picture: PA

In the Mercedes limousine behind the hearse sat Jo’s family, with her daughter Lejla seen waving to the crowds as the car passed through.

Behind that car came a black Ford Mondeo with blacked out windows, followed by two other cars carrying men who appeared to be security personnel.

Former Emmerdale and Coronation Street actress Tracy Brabin, 55, was one of those who lined the streets around Market Place in Batley.

Tracy said: “When she was campaigning to be elected I spent time with her campaign.

Jo Cox. Picture: PA

“We worked together to try to stop Batley library closing down.

“I was so shocked when I found out it was someone that I knew and someone that I cared for.

“She’s a true inspiration and was an extraordinary woman.

“Brendan is the most extraordinary human being too. He’s just like Jo was.”

Tracy was joined at the kerbside by her mum Betty Brabin, who was inside Birstall Library at the time of Cox’s murder.

She said: “We were told don’t go outside there is someone on the loose, but we didn’t know what had happened to Jo.

“It’s unbelievable that something like that could happen in our village, but I guess something could happen anywhere.”

Labour councillor Gwen Lowe, who represents the Batley West ward on Kirklees Council said: “I knew Jo very, very well.

“It’s extremely sad and it’s all very surreal. Everybody is still devastated by it.

“Jo’s infectious enthusiasm for life is incredible.

“Everyone I speak to in town refers to her as their friend.

“She was down to earth and she had two special qualities.

“Firstly when you spoke to her she made you feel really special and secondly if you disagreed with Jo she would say let’s keep talking and work this out.

“I think everyone should carry these qualities with them and live like Jo.”

After passing through the market square, the funeral cortege continued on its route to a private service, which the media were asked not to attend.

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