More than 150 people crowded into Huddersfield’s Parish Church tonight to pay their respects to MP Jo Cox.

The special memorial service held in honour of the Batley and Spen MP saw all three Kirklees MPs, Barry Sheerman, Jason McCartney and Paula Sherriff attend along with the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Dr Ingrid Roscoe and Mayor of Kirklees, Jim Dodds.

The Bishop of Huddersfield, Jonathan Gibbs and Steve Cotter, Kirklees’ chief of police also attended.

It was the first major service in south Kirklees for residents to remember the Labour MP who was killed in Birstall on Thursday while walking to her constituency office.

MP's Barry Sheerman, Jason McCartney and Paula Sherriff arrive at the service.
MP's Barry Sheerman, Jason McCartney and Paula Sherriff arrive at the service.

Mr Sheerman said that when he looked at the order of service and saw three MPs he realised the “fourth Musketeer” had been lost saying; “we have lost a great friend”.

He described her death as a “foul event” and said she would not be forgotten.

He said: “She had been doing a wonderful job for this area. We have to remember that and not forget her.”

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Mr McCartney added: “We will soon be working with a new MP for Batley and Spen but in our hearts we will be still working with Jo.”

Ms Sherriff described Jo as “irrepressible” and said that was the word which always came first into her mind when she thought of her departed colleague.

She added: “She epitomised everything that was good about politics. She had the rare ability to see good in everyone. Her passion and vitality shone through.”

Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman speaks at the service.
Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman speaks at the service.

Dr Roscoe explained how she had received a phone call soon after Mrs Cox's death as the Queen wanted an address to send her husband Brendan a letter commiserating with him.

She said the Queen was “particularly aware of Jo’s warmth and her action to help disadvantaged people.”