EU ministers pay tribute to slain UK lawmaker Jo Cox

Violence against politicians is rare in Britain, as are gun attacks, and entire political spectrum expressed deep shock.
Jo Cox, a Labour lawmaker who had championed the cause of Syrian refugees, was stabbed and shot to death outside a library in her constituency. (File|AP)
Jo Cox, a Labour lawmaker who had championed the cause of Syrian refugees, was stabbed and shot to death outside a library in her constituency. (File|AP)

LONDON:The Latest on the shooting of a British lawmaker in a village near the city of Leeds (all times local):

6:35 p.m.

European Union finance ministers have paid silent tribute to a British lawmaker who was shot and killed a week ahead of a referendum on whether Britain should leave the EU.

At talks in Luxembourg Thursday, eurogroup chairman Jeroen Dijsselbloem said ministers "observed a moment of silence in our meeting, out of respect for her."

He said "the U.K. is a beacon for peaceful politics and we hope that the British public, the people of the U.K., can make their choices serenely and in a safe way next week."

Labour legislator Jo Cox was attacked and killed Thursday in northern England. A 52-year-old man has been arrested. Police believe it is a "lone incident" and are not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack.

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5:20 p.m.

Police say British lawmaker Jo Cox has died after being shot in the in the town of Birstall, part of the area she represented.

Acting Chief Constable Dee Collins of West Yorkshire Police says authorities can't discuss any motive for the shooting yet but they have made an arrest and are not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack.

They say a man was also injured but is expected to survive.

Groups on both sides of the referendum on whether Britain should leave the European Union have suspended campaigning.

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3:45 p.m.

British Prime Minister David Cameron says he has cancelled a planned pro-European Union speech in Gibraltar after a lawmaker was shot in a village near the city Leeds.

Labour Party lawmaker Jo Cox was shot and seriously wounded earlier Thursday, Britain's Press Association reported. A 52-year-old man has been arrested.

Groups on both sides of the British EU referendum said they have suspended their campaigns.

Cameron was scheduled to make a two-hour visit to Gibraltar Thursday to seek votes to keep Britain in the EU in the June 23 referendum. But he wrote on Twitter "I won't go ahead with tonight's rally in Gibraltar."

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3:20 p.m.

Groups on both sides of the British EU referendum have suspended their campaigns after the shooting of aBritish lawmaker.

The "remain" and "leave" campaigns said Thursday that campaign events will be stopped for the rest of the day.

Further details are expected shortly.

There has been feverish campaigning ahead of the June 23 referendum on whether or not Britain should leave the European Union.

Prime Minister David Cameron had been expected to speak on behalf of the "remain" camp on Gibraltar. His Downing Street office did not have details on his plans.

Labour Party lawmaker Jo Cox was shot and seriously wounded earlier Thursday, Britain's Press Association reported. A 52-year-old man has been arrested.

Police have not revealed details about the incident near Leeds.

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2:50 p.m.

Britain's Press Association reports Labour lawmaker Jo Cox has been injured in a shooting near Leeds.

The PA was quoting eyewitness Hithem Ben Abdallah as saying Cox got involved in a scuffle between two men in the village of Birstall on Thursday. Abdallah said one of the men was fighting with Cox and then a gun went off twice and "she fell between two cars and I came and saw her bleeding on the floor."

After around 15 minutes, the shop owner said emergency services arrived and tended to her with a drip.

Police say a "serious incident" has taken place, but didn't immediately identify the victim or provide any more details.

Cox's assistant confirmed to the PA she had been attacked.

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