Jo Cox

Labour MP for Batley and Spen, Jo Cox,  was shot and stabbed this afternoon while taking a lunchbreak from her constituency surgery. She later died of her injuries. 

This is a terrible day for British democracy. The murder, carried out by a 52 year-old white male appears to have been linked to the forthcoming EU referendum. One witness reports that the man shouted 'Britain First' as he was tackled by police. There is a right wing extremist organisation called Britain First - see here for a report on their May 24th press release to track down elected Muslims  - like, for example the Mayor of London - and their definition of these British citizens as 'occupiers'.

Jo Cox is survived by her husband and two children. As many people have already said on Twitter - that we have come to this.

The flower is one of the first pyramidal orchids I have seen blooming on the downs hereabouts. I've superimposed it the across to France and mainland Europe over the Dover Strait/Pas de Calais. Both photos were taken between hearing about the attack and the devastating news that Jo Cox had died of her terrible injuries.