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'PAIN AND LOSS'

Husband of murdered Jo Cox says Sir David Amess’ killing ‘brings everything back’ after wife’s tragic death

JO Cox's husband has said the fatal stabbing of Tory MP Sir David Amess has "brought everything back" after his wife was murdered.

Brandon today told how learning that Sir David been knifed multiple times has seen the "pain and loss" he felt following Jo's death resurface.

MP Sir David Amess was fatally stabbed in Essex
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MP Sir David Amess was fatally stabbed in EssexCredit: Rex
Labour MP Jo Cox was stabbed and shot in 2016
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Labour MP Jo Cox was stabbed and shot in 2016Credit: PA

Today's bloodbath is the ninth time an MP has been murdered in the UK, the sixth since WW2.

Among those was Jo, who was gunned down and killed on her way to a constituency surgery in 2016.

Brendan said after Sir David's death was confirmed: "My thoughts and love are with David’s family. They are all that matter now.

"This brings everything back. The pain, the loss, but also how much love the public gave us following the loss of Jo.

"I hope we can do the same for David now."

Labour MP Jo was killed by Nazi-obsessed Thomas Mair in broad daylight just a week before the EU referendum vote.

The mum-of-two was stabbed and shot as she made her way to a constituency meeting in Batley and Spen, West Yorkshire.

She suffered knife wounds to her heart, lungs, stomach and liver before being blasted three times through her hands with a sawn-off gun.

Heroic Jo, who was with two aides at the time, warned them to stay back and told them to "let him hurt me".

Though the finer details remain unknown, it echoes today's killing of Sir David who was attacked at his surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, in front of horrified constituents.

The knifeman is understood to have stormed the Belfairs Methodist Church before being led away by armed police.

Sir David's condition was not immediately known but cops have now confirmed the dad-of-five has sadly passed away.

Essex Police confirmed a 25-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and said they are not looking for anyone else.

Horrified witnesses told how gun cops "completely and utterly swamped" the quiet seaside town following the killing.

'COMPLETELY UNJUST'

A spokesperson for the Jo Cox Foundation, which set up after she was killed, said they were "devastated" to learn of the death of Sir David.

They added: "All elected representatives deserve to be safe, and to be treated with respect.

"Violence and abuse against them is utterly unacceptable. It endangers people and their families, and it endangers democratic life."

And the Rt Hon Jacqui Smith, the foundation's chair, said: "This is a tragic loss for those who knew and loved Sir David - my heart goes out to them.

"I knew him as a generous and dedicated colleague in Parliament.

"Public life must be safe for those we ask to serve in our democracy - that is a responsibility for us all."

He was just the most wonderful and kindest and funny and compassionate politicians that we had the lucky to know in our lifetimes.

Robert HalfonTory MP for Harlow

Stunned MPs have condemned the horror as the horrific news spread today, and it emerged Sir David had called for action on knife crime seven months earlier.

A planned interview with Boris Johnson which was due to take place today has also been cancelled.

His wife Carrie was among the first to lead tributes to Sir David, saying: "Absolutely devastating news about Sir David Amess.

"He was hugely kind and good. An enormous animal lover and a true gent.

"This is so completely unjust. Thoughts are with his wife and their children."

Robert Halfon, Tory MP for Harlow and a friend of Sir David's, told The Sun: "He was the embodiment of Essex man.

"He was just the most wonderful and kindest and funny and compassionate politicians that we had the lucky to know in our lifetimes."

While former Prime Minister David Cameron said: "This is the most devastating, horrific & tragic news.

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"David Amess was a kind & thoroughly decent man - & he was the most committed MP you could ever hope to meet.

"Words cannot adequately express the horror of what has happened today. Right now, my heart goes out to David’s family."

Tory MP Sir David Amess, 69, dies after being stabbed several times during constituency surgery
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