Labour MP Jo Cox shot in Birstall

JbF sadly we haven't been in this position before so we didn't know what to do but what a good idea it would have been to ask GNHQ to open a special condolence thread. I suppose it is too late now.

Well, it's not too late to open a Questions and Theories about the Birstall killer thread, if anyone really wants to.

I'm not sure anyone does Ana although I know no more than you. People may well have said what they want to say.

I don't think it is too late Gracesgran

I posted earlier but don't wish to add much more to this thread except to say that I think most right-minded people of any political persuasion have been shocked, horrified and, yes, bereft at the shocking loss of such a bright young MPwith such a promising future - it was a sad day for the whole country.

I was, however, very upset to read a post earlier repeating vile tweets from a right wing group and I think vile, aggressive words like that have no place on GN.
We know about these people and do not need to visit their sites to read their filth - I hope the authorities are dealing with them.

Jalima , can we avoid the real world ? That vile tweet was written by someone in the real world

Heart breaking. No matter what your political persuasion. Heart breaking. Condolences to her family and what a sad loss of a woman who was a rising political star. Someone who cared. Answers. I don't have any.

I think the sheer violence of this attack suggests hatred, but hatred of what is another question. Whether it was the result of the man's mental condition, or was politically motivated or was deliberately targeting poor Jo for whatever reason is something that we will have to wait to find out.

I was looking at 3 year old GS2 today and wondering how on earth you would start to explain that Mummy is never coming back.

Just thinking about a loving family split by a vile act of hatred. Don't understand the hatred which is spreading through this country.
So much sadness caused by one act. I just feel empty for the family.

annie I am not head-in-the-sand and have probably heard more horror stories than many people, some that will never leave my brain.
However, robust political debate on GN is one thing, a repeat of these tweets is a step too far imo, and I for one would not visit these sites any more than I would visit other vile sites that I know exist.
I know they are part of real life, I know they fuel violence and other horrific crimes but, unless I am part of a team investigating them I do not wish to read their diatribes on here or follow links to them.

If anyone wants to donate to charity for her, her husband has said HopenotHate or the White Helmets.

Thanks dj that's helpful. I hadn't heard of either of these before. Are the White Helmets the Syrian volunteers?

She was a member of Hope not Hate, I received an E mail yesterday

@ Jalima, I don't go to those sites but I'm guessing those extracts were posted here as sometimes people don't believe that not only does such hatred get expressed, but it's so blatant. And often under real names.

Pamish vulnerable people and those with mental health problems are often drawn to extreme groups. Being involved with such groups and buying into their belief systems does not preclude mental health problems. Jo Cox was so sadly a victim of these things it would appear.

We can't assume that, Christinefrance. At the moment there's no evidence (as far as I'm aware) that this man was a member of any extremist group.

How many 'terrorists' are in fact people with mental health issues, who have often been treated badly or unfairly by society? Why are some groups of people always treated as 'ill with mental health issues' and others 'terrorists'?

One doesn't have to be a member of any extremist group to read, listen and then agree with them

What's that got to do with this tragic case? Honestly, talk about making judgements before the facts are even known...sigh

The labour party have set up a book of condolences here www.labour.org.uk/jo-cox

That was to gj but applies to anyone who thinks this man 'must have been' influenced by some rabid extremists. I'll leave you to your assumptions.

Yes, lazigirl, they are on thesyriacampaign. I am a member of HopenotHate, and have already donated. I donate to thesyriacampaign as well. That's all I can do, donate and hope.

There's a donation page set up by her husband separately.

Such sad news, as other have said, a woman in her prime just doing her job. Deepest sympathy to her husband children and the rest of her family too.
At choir we all said the same last night-it's bound to be one of these poor souls being "cared for in the community". Care is the last thing they get sadly. The old asylums were awful but there is a place for keeping folks safe and us safe from them too before they do something terrible.
The morning after the last elections I remember thinking how lovely to live in a democracy. So many folks must have disagreed with the result but it was accepted peacefully.
Immigration is a very serious issue. We simply don't have room for any more-schools, hospitals, doctors, housing all creaking under the strain. Something must be done-ideally so these folks can stay in their own countries, as I would wish to do.

www.whitehelmets.org

All we have is that a bystander, amid the chaos of this attack, thinks he heard him say certain words.

Don't prejudge. Waiting until the facts are known is not tolerating evil, it is refusing to allow snap judgments to influence us into instant and regrettable kneejerk reactions.

I am sure there will be a ststement soon on what is has been ascertained.

As the police didn't arrive untill after the murder there is only the witnesses who can say what they saw and heard