Jo Cox death: Glasgow vigil to be held in memory of Labour MP

Flowers surround a picture of Jo Cox during a vigil in Parliament Square. Picture: Getty Images

The Scottish Parliament has lowered its flags to half mast while a number of political events have been postponed as a mark of respect.

The vigil, which will take place in George Square at 7pm on Friday, was organised by Helen Ntabeni, who told STV News that she had been inspired by the words of Mrs Cox’s husband Brendan.

Ms Ntabeni said: “Our thoughts go out to Jo’s beautiful young family, and her husband Brendan as they face this bleak time.

A man arrives to lay flowers in Birstall. Picture: Getty Images

“We want to assure them that we celebrate the wonderful force for positive change that Jo was, recognising that she was a woman who made a lasting difference in the world.”

Mother-of-two Mrs Cox had been holding a weekly advice surgery in Birstall, at the heart of her Batley and Spen constituency, shortly before she was attacked.

Stunned constituents and colleagues attended vigils in West Yorkshire last night, as a 52-year-old man, named locally as Thomas Mair, was arrested in connection with the incident.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “Jo Cox died doing her public duty at the heart of our democracy, listening to and representing the people she was elected to serve.

“Jo was universally liked at Westminster, not just by her Labour colleagues, but across parliament.

“For now all our thoughts are with Jo’s husband Brendan and their two young children. They will grow up without their Mum, but can be immensely proud of what she did, what she achieved and what she stood for.

“We send them our deepest condolences. We have lost a much loved colleague, a real talent and a dedicated campaigner for social justice and peace.

“But they have lost a wife and a mother, and our hearts go out to them.”