Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman has played down rumours as to who will take Jo Cox’s seat in Batley and Spen.

Rumours are rife on social media as to which Labour Party member will replace the passionate and caring MP, who was murdered in Birstall on June 16 while on her way to a constituency surgery at Birstall Library.

Former MPs Ed Balls and David Miliband have both been suggested by several political commentators on Twitter, but Mr Sheerman said he had no idea who would run.

Mr Balls, former representative for Morley and Outwood, was ousted in the 2015 General Election while Mr Miliband, former South Shields MP, resigned following an unsuccessful Labour leadership bid against his brother Ed Miliband in 2010.

“I haven’t heard anything”, said Mr Sheerman.

“But I want someone in her mould: a passionate, active campaigner who cares about her community.

“It will be very hard to find someone.”

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Mrs Cox was elected to the seat on an all-women Labour shortlist but Mr Sheerman would not say whether he believed her replacement should be a woman.

It is believed that no decision on a candidate will be made until after her funeral.

Mr Sheerman added: “I just want high quality and support women in Labour as much as I can.”