Jo Cox: Thames houseboat of murdered MP swamped in sea of flowers in moving tribute

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Jamie Bullen17 June 2016
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The Thames houseboat home of MP Jo Cox has been covered in a sea of flowers by mourners a day after the nation was rocked by her murder.

Floral tributes and photographs of the MP have been left on the boat in Wapping where the politician lived with her husband Brendan and two children.

The 41-year-old died on Thursday after she was shot and stabbed outside her constituency surgery in Birstall.

Mrs Cox divided her time between the houseboat and her home in West Yorkshire after she was elected as MP for Batley and Spen last year.

MP Jo Cox has been shot and stabbed at a constituency surgery near Leeds
PA

Her London neighbours described her as an “amazing, wonderful and spirited” member of the boating community.

Anne Wainwright, chair of Hermitage moorings, said: “Today is the saddest day of this close community. We have lost a dear, dear, friend in the most tragic and outrageous circumstances.

Jo Cox with her husband Brendan at the General Election count in Huddersfield

“We pay tribute to our amazing, wonderful and spirited member of this community. A beacon of hope who believed in love, friendship and values that we all so much need at this time.

Comfort: People hug each other during an impromptu vigil at Parliament Square
Philip Toscano/PA Wire

“The community will continue to be inspired by her relentless energy and her commitment to all that is good.

“Our thoughts go to her husband Brendan and her two wonderful children.”

A book of condolences has also been opened on board the boat.

Londoners have gathered in the wake of the MP’s death at a series of emotional vigils across the capital.

Thousands of people are expected to pack Parliament Square tonight at 7.30pm for a two-minute silence as part of the latest vigil.

Thomas Mair, 52, has been arrested over her murder.

Arrested: Thomas Mair
SWNS

It came amid a global outpouring of support for the popular young MP.

Hillary Clinton called her death an "assassination."

The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee said she was “horrified” by the killing.

In a statement, Clinton said: “By all accounts, she was a rising star. Her maiden speech in Parliament celebrated the diversity of her beloved Yorkshire constituency, and passionately made the case that there is more that unites us than divides us.

“It is cruel and terrible that her life was cut short by a violent act of political intolerance."

Londoners also gathered to mourn the death and celebrate the life of the mother-of-two in a series of impromptu and emotional vigils across the capital.

Flags at the Houses of Parliament and City Hall were lowered to half-mast.

A two-minute silence was observed at the Tooting by-election count, where returning officer Paul Martin said the murder cast a “dark shadow” over the process of electing the newest member of the Commons.

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