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Shocked MPs press on with surgeries after Jo Cox attack Shocked MPs press on with surgeries after Jo Cox attack
(about 2 hours later)
MPs say constituency surgeries must continue despite the fatal attack on Jo Cox because they are such an important part of UK democracy. MPs say constituency surgeries must continue despite the fatal attack on Jo Cox, because they are such an important part of UK democracy.
No 10 sent safety guidance to MPs after Mrs Cox was attacked outside a library where she due to meet constituents. Labour's Neil Coyle told the BBC MPs had been "warned of copycat attacks" and had been offered extra security.
His colleague Dan Jarvis, said MPs were "scared" but he would "walk through Barnsley today like every Friday".
No 10 sent safety guidance to MPs after Mrs Cox was attacked outside a library where she was due to meet constituents.
Some MPs are carrying on with public engagements with increased security.Some MPs are carrying on with public engagements with increased security.
But Rachel Reeves, whose Leeds West seat is close to Mrs Cox's Batley and Spen constituency, said it was "right" to close her office on Friday.
Tributes paid to Jo CoxTributes paid to Jo Cox
Obituary: A proud Yorkshire lassObituary: A proud Yorkshire lass
Husband's tribute: Zest for lifeHusband's tribute: Zest for life
Previous attacks on MPsPrevious attacks on MPs
She told the BBC: "We mustn't let the actions of this man drive a wedge between MPs and the people we were elected to serve.
"The work of an MP in our surgeries, our work in the community must continue but I think it's right today that as well as ceasing the campaigning in the referendum that we close our office."
Mrs Cox had been due to hold a constituency surgery, which had been advertised on her website, at the public library in Birstall, a small market town in her constituency, when she was attacked.Mrs Cox had been due to hold a constituency surgery, which had been advertised on her website, at the public library in Birstall, a small market town in her constituency, when she was attacked.
The Times reported that police had been due to put extra security in place at these events, after she had been harassed in a stream of messages over the past three months - but there is no known link between the messages and Thursday's attack.The Times reported that police had been due to put extra security in place at these events, after she had been harassed in a stream of messages over the past three months - but there is no known link between the messages and Thursday's attack.
Asked whether police were in contact with MPs about security, a spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police said they did not comment on security matters but were always in contact with Members of Parliament about the issue.Asked whether police were in contact with MPs about security, a spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police said they did not comment on security matters but were always in contact with Members of Parliament about the issue.
But emails from the whips' offices were sent out to MPs advising them to talk to local police forces about security measures they have in place for meetings.But emails from the whips' offices were sent out to MPs advising them to talk to local police forces about security measures they have in place for meetings.
'Heavy hearts''Heavy hearts'
Bermondsey MP Mr Coyle said MPs had received new security advice: "We've all been warned of copycat attacks." he said.
"Police have been in touch with many MPs to offer additional security for those of us who are having surgeries today."
Labour MP for Barnsley Central, Dan Jarvis, said: "I know MPs are scared. We'll be reviewing our security, but I'll walk through Barnsley today like every Friday."Labour MP for Barnsley Central, Dan Jarvis, said: "I know MPs are scared. We'll be reviewing our security, but I'll walk through Barnsley today like every Friday."
Fellow Labour MP Jonathan Reynolds said he planned to press ahead with his constituency surgery but added: "I will ensure there is security present however."Fellow Labour MP Jonathan Reynolds said he planned to press ahead with his constituency surgery but added: "I will ensure there is security present however."
And Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "Politicians all over the country will hold Friday surgeries today. We'll do so with heavy hearts. But it's what we do. May it never change."And Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "Politicians all over the country will hold Friday surgeries today. We'll do so with heavy hearts. But it's what we do. May it never change."
MPs in Parliament are protected by layers of security and armed police - but in their constituencies many meet voters face-to-face on a weekly basis. But Rachel Reeves, whose Leeds West seat is close to Mrs Cox's Batley and Spen constituency, said it was "right" to close her office on Friday.
She told the BBC: "We mustn't let the actions of this man drive a wedge between MPs and the people we were elected to serve.
"The work of an MP in our surgeries, our work in the community must continue but I think it's right today that as well as ceasing the campaigning in the referendum that we close our office."
MPs in Parliament are protected by layers of security and armed police - but in their constituencies, many meet voters face-to-face on a weekly basis.
Like many MPs, Mrs Cox said on her website: "No appointment is necessary, please just come along."Like many MPs, Mrs Cox said on her website: "No appointment is necessary, please just come along."
Labour MP Caroline Flint told the BBC that she had spoken to counterparts in the US and across the world who were "quite astonished at the up close and personal relationship we have with our constituents".Labour MP Caroline Flint told the BBC that she had spoken to counterparts in the US and across the world who were "quite astonished at the up close and personal relationship we have with our constituents".
She said surgeries were a "good and very positive" part of British democracy.She said surgeries were a "good and very positive" part of British democracy.
'Distorted rage''Distorted rage'
But she added: "We have to be mindful of not just our security but those of our staff as well and sometimes we do have to deal with people who are sometimes abusive or may give you concern and it's just a tragedy that has happened with the death of Jo."But she added: "We have to be mindful of not just our security but those of our staff as well and sometimes we do have to deal with people who are sometimes abusive or may give you concern and it's just a tragedy that has happened with the death of Jo."
Even those who have been attacked, like Labour's Stephen Timms, who survived being stabbed twice in the stomach by a constituent in 2010, are reluctant to put up barriers between them and the people they represent.Even those who have been attacked, like Labour's Stephen Timms, who survived being stabbed twice in the stomach by a constituent in 2010, are reluctant to put up barriers between them and the people they represent.
Mr Timms, whose attacker claimed to have been motivated by revenge for his support for the Iraq war, said in the wake of the attack on him, police asked if he wanted a metal detecting arch at his East Ham constituency surgeries, but he was reluctant to do so. Mr Timms, whose attacker claimed to have been motivated by revenge for his support for the Iraq war, said in the wake of the attack on him, police asked if he wanted a metal detecting arch at his East Ham constituency surgeries, but he was reluctant to have one installed.
"The problem with that would be that it would make going to see your MP a pretty unpleasant experience and none of us want that to happen. I want my constituents to come and talk to me and I don't want to make it harder for them to do so.""The problem with that would be that it would make going to see your MP a pretty unpleasant experience and none of us want that to happen. I want my constituents to come and talk to me and I don't want to make it harder for them to do so."
Former Conservative MP Paul Goodman wrote on the ConservativeHome website "distorted" rage was expended on MPs and warned that "good people" would be deterred from entering politics: "We have gated communities. Will we end up with gated politicians, insulated from constituents for their own protection?"Former Conservative MP Paul Goodman wrote on the ConservativeHome website "distorted" rage was expended on MPs and warned that "good people" would be deterred from entering politics: "We have gated communities. Will we end up with gated politicians, insulated from constituents for their own protection?"
Dr David James, of the Fixated Threat Assessment Centre (FTAC), a Home Office unit which deals with security risks to public figures said nobody wanted "fortified constituency surgeries" but things could be done to persuade MPs more generally to report disturbing behaviour. Dr David James, of the Fixated Threat Assessment Centre (FTAC), a Home Office unit which deals with security risks to public figures, said nobody wanted "fortified constituency surgeries" but things could be done to persuade MPs more generally to report disturbing behaviour.
His unit has carried out a survey suggesting around 80% of MPs had suffered some harassment and nearly a fifth had been subject to an attack or attempted attack.His unit has carried out a survey suggesting around 80% of MPs had suffered some harassment and nearly a fifth had been subject to an attack or attempted attack.
In many cases, he said, there was "some sort of warning behaviour" beforehand and it was important that that was reported to FTAC - but sometimes MPs were reluctant to do so because "there's a worry that they may be seen as 'shopping' their constituents".In many cases, he said, there was "some sort of warning behaviour" beforehand and it was important that that was reported to FTAC - but sometimes MPs were reluctant to do so because "there's a worry that they may be seen as 'shopping' their constituents".
"One of the problems is that MPs, some MPs, tend to see this sort of aggressive behaviour as something that goes with the job. It isn't and it shouldn't be.""One of the problems is that MPs, some MPs, tend to see this sort of aggressive behaviour as something that goes with the job. It isn't and it shouldn't be."