THE husband of murdered MP Jo Cox has urged people to "fight against the hatred that killed her".

His statement came hours after the Labour member and mother of two was shot and stabbed in her constituency and as local politicians on all levels expressed their shock and outrage.

In a statement, Brendan Cox said: "Today is the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. More difficult, more painful, less joyful, less full of love. I and Jo's friends and family are going to work every moment of our lives to love and nurture our kids and to fight against the hate that killed Jo.

"Jo believed in a better world and she fought for it every day of her life with an energy, and a zest for life that would exhaust most people.

"She would have wanted two things above all else to happen now, one that our precious children are bathed in love and two, that we all unite to fight against the hatred that killed her. Hate doesn't have a creed, race or religion, it is poisonous.

"Jo would have no regrets about her life, she lived every day of it to the full."

A 52-year-old man has been arrested following the lunchtime attack. There are reports he shouted "Britain first" before the incident in Birstall, West Yorkshire.

Clydebank politicians expressed their sympathies for the MP's family and friends.

MP Martin Docherty-Hughes tweeted: "Appalling & devastating news from Yorkshire on the death of Jo Cox thoughts with her family, friends and community."

MSP Gil Paterson added: "What awful, awful news to hear Jo Cox MP has died serving her constituents. My deepest thoughts are with her family and friends."

Labour Councillor Michelle McGinty said: "Our thoughts and love go out to Jo Cox husband and children, her life sadly taken as she helped her constituents in a Job she excelled in."

In a statement, Scottish Labour Party leader Kezia Dugdale added that wider questions should wait.

She wrote: "There will be time to talk about what the savage murder of an elected representative means for our democracy but that's for another day. Today we mourn the loss of one of our own.

"Jo was an extraordinary woman. She devoted her life to helping people in the darkest places in our world. Our hearts are broken by the loss of one of our country's brightest hopes. We mourn not just the woman she was but the loss of everything she would have achieved.

"Our thoughts and love are with her husband Brendan and her children. That their pain and loss is shared by people across the Labour family and people around the world is testament to how special the life Jo led was. In time we hope that will be some comfort to them."