Local politicians have cancelled a planned EU Referendum debate out of respect for murder victim Jo Cox.

And Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman has called for calm, quiet campaigning rather than the noisy vitriol between different factions.

His comments came just hours after Mrs Cox, the Batley and Spen MP, was gunned down in the centre of Birstall.

Mr Sheerman and Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney were to head up a public debate on next week’s EU Referendum on Monday evening at Huddersfield Parish Church.

Mr McCartney said: “After yesterday’s tragic events I am withdrawing from Monday’s planned debate – I think we should cancel it altogether. We need love and unity at this time.

“I worked closely with Jo on Fairtrade and getting aid dropped to isolated Syrian villages. We spent the recent Bank Holiday weekend lobbying together on this. I know as well Barry was very close to Jo and acted as a mentor.

“I am hoping Parliament is recalled on Monday so I can pay tribute to Jo along with other colleagues. I have cancelled all my appointments for today, the weekend and Monday.

“I will be taking part in the Kirkwood Hospice Midnight Memory Walk with my 12-year-old daughter and friends on Saturday.”

Read more: Updates as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn heading to Birstall to pay tribute

Read more: Jo Cox's husband's heartbreaking statement after MP's murder

Mr Sheerman, who said the decision to cancel Monday’s debate was the right thing, said: “We need to cut back on the vociferous campaigning.

“We have all been shouting too loudly and too aggressively in this debate so far.

“All of us are shocked by what has happened to Jo and totally traumatised by the tragic events of Thursday.

“Out of respect to her, let’s have a much calmer, more controlled debate in the run-up to the vote next week.

“There is nothing wrong with quiet persuasion; we don’t need to resort to loud voices and abuse”.

The Bishop of Huddersfield, the Right Rev Jonathan Gibbs, who was to chair Monday’s debate, said: “I agree entirely with the decision.”