THEGAYUK

Tag: Leeds News

Get the latest LGBT+ Leeds news from THEGAYUK. Breaking news, features and interviews from the gay community in Leeds in England, UK.

  • COMMENT | When lockdown is over, I’m headed straight to a gay bar

    COMMENT | When lockdown is over, I’m headed straight to a gay bar

    Columnist Al Jennings says that the LGBT+ community needs to invest some time and money in its scene or risk losing it forever.

    When you think of a night out in Leeds; you think of the trendy wine bars of Call Lane, Millennium Square for the students, and the rock and punk scene that was evident in the early ’80s. However, Leeds has a fantastic, and diverse LGBT+ nightlife scene which has opened my eyes to some of the greatest nights of my lights.

    I grew up in a conservative East Yorkshire town where there was no reference to an LGBT+ community. It was a pint of snakebite down the local boozer with the lads. As a young, impressionable eighteen-year-old, I was ready for some excitement and to meet like-minded people where I could be myself and find some acceptance. I packed up and headed off to London for university and fully embraced myself in their gay scene, I didn’t know that I had a whole scene on my doorstep I could’ve explored. From London, I moved overseas for a few years, and then back to East Yorkshire and began exploring my opportunities.

    Leeds wasn’t really on my radar. Manchester’s gay village had been well popularised through Russell T. Davies shows such as Queer as Folk and Cucumber, and I began my professional career in Hull. I made a lot of good friends at the time in Hull, and it did have a great nightlife. It wasn’t until I moved to West Yorkshire that I discovered how much of a vibrant and exciting scene Leeds had and how much it could open my eyes, and I could find friendships and relationships that could truly enhance my life.

    Leeds Leeds Leeds

    Embed from Getty Images

    It’s clear that Leeds has got a great reputation for Queer nightlife. The Freedom quarter, that encompasses the Calls and Lower Briggate, is its main hub. A hive of activity with a great host of venues to choose from it, depending on what you are wanting from a Friday night. Whether it’s a few drinks on a Friday night after work in Queens Court or a night of gyrating on the dancefloor to the chart hits of today in The Viaduct then there is something that caters for everybody.

    Ninety-five per cent of my nights in Leeds start in Queens Court. It’s welcoming atmosphere, spacious outdoor courtyard, it provides the perfect place to get together a few friends to chew over the fat of the last week, and catch up on the latest gossip in town. It’s budget-friendly drink prices throughout the week means that a night with friends with a touch of glass, doesn’t have to break the bank. I’d always recommend a visit on a Bank Holiday Sunday to one of their infamous courtyard parties, which brings a little bit of Ibiza to Leeds through their top name DJ sets and incredibly beautiful laser shows.

    After a few drinks in Queens Court, I always find it’s time to pick up the pace and before inevitably ending up in a club, Blayds Bar is always on my list for a great time in Leeds. Hidden away in a back alley just off Lower Briggate, Blayds in a great intimate little venue with lots of charm and appeal. Blayds offers something different every night of the week and includes some great special events. Everybody’s is welcome in Blayds, making it one of the most inclusive in Leeds. Hosted by Drag Queens including Mamma Bear, Blayds caters for all with its collection of chart-hits and the Eurovision Deep Cuts that leave the gays wanting more. You’ll find me on the dancefloor recreating the hair-flips from Fuego most weekends.

    If you’ve not had enough by now, then there is only one place to finish off your night. The Viaduct Showbar is the place to finish off your evening, or even party your way through until the morning. The Viaduct Showbar is undoubtedly the most well-known Gay Bar in Leeds, boasting live entertainment every night of the week thanks to some of the most fabulous and glamourous performers and Drag Queens in the country. With live performances throughout the evening, the DJ’s play the hottest new chart hits and all the classics in-between the fabulous and enigmatic performances.

    Our scene needs us

    During recent years, there has been a lot of press about the closing of LGBT venues all over the country. In November 2016, University College London published a report looking at LGBT+ nightlife in London since 1986. According to THEGAYUK.com, 151 gay bars and clubs in London have shut their doors between 2000 and 2016. A staggering amount. There are many reasons for this, including a rise in business rates and rents – but also, a question that simply gay bars are going out of fashion? Have we reached a point where the pink pound no longer is spent within its community? Have we reached a position in society where our safe spaces are not needed for us to express ourselves and have, we become more confident in ourselves to join the more mainstream nightlife?

    Whilst in recent years Gay Scenes have seen a downturn in footfall, and the closing of bars and Safe Spaces, Leeds really does seem to be bucking the trend, but will it be able to survive the fallout of the Coronavirus lockdown?

    Maybe the community need to remember where they came from and invest in their local venues a little bit more.

    Bars and Clubs are going to have to be inventive and creative to get people back through the doors, and with seemingly a wider acceptance of the gay community, people have been moving away from the scene. Maybe the community need to remember where they came from and invest in their local venues a little bit more. Retaining our safe spaces is essential for many who rely on it as a haven especially for those of the trans community, who are facing a huge amount of prejudice on a daily basis in their normal lives – we must continue to support them and their journey of self-discovery.

    So, when the lockdown ends, and it’s safe to do so – we must take to the dancefloor once again. Show up and show our local business’s our support. Most importantly, hug our friends – we’ve all been in isolation, and I guarantee we’re all a little bit apprehensive but we’re all here for the same thing; to blow all our worries and party like it was 1999!

    I will see you back on the dancefloor, living my best life!

  • Theatre Review | Northern Ballet’s Victoria – Leeds Grand Theatre and National Tour

    ✭✭✭ | Northern Ballet’s Victoria

    Photo Emma Kauldhar

    Following on from the award-winning historical piece, Casanova, Northern Ballet return to the history books for a brand new ballet. Victoria tells the story of the monarch and matriarch through the eyes of her daughter, Beatrice, as she edits her mother’s diaries shortly after Victoria’s death. The ballet looks at the relationship between Victoria and a number of the key figures in her life, including her husband, Albert, her daughter, Beatrice and her companion, John Brown.

    Cathy Marston’s choreography sparkles, switching between flowing movements and sprawling floor work to angular, precise and mechanical movements; and brims with symmetry and metaphor. In particular, the pas de deux between Victoria and John Brown in the first act was beautifully put together, aided by a stunning performance by Pippa Moore as Victoria and Mlindi Kulashe as John Brown, which conveyed a real moment of intimacy, vulnerability and emotion.  As always, the whole company’s performances were outstanding, the set was simple but effective and the costumes were impressive.

    Despite the strength of the performances, the movement and the technical aspects of the ballet, where the piece stumbles slightly is in the narrative, which at times lacks clarity; as it tries to cram in so much of Victoria’s life that it sometimes overreaches, glossing over key points which could have been really interesting. The thrust of the first act features heavily on the backstory of Beatrice and her relationship with her mother, whilst the slightly overlong second act focuses primarily on Victoria’s family life and her relationship with Albert. The complexity of the narrative, the flitting between past and present and the brevity of some aspects of the story mean that it is well worth purchasing a programme to enable you to keep an eye on the synopsis.

    Victoria is a visually sumptuous ballet, which can be enjoyed on two levels, either as a beautifully crafted piece of dance, or, with a careful focus and concentration, an interesting glimpse into the life of a historically influential figure.

    Victoria is at Leeds Grand Theatre until 16.03.19 before undertaking a national tour. It is also being filmed for a forthcoming cinema release.

  • New LGBTQ film ‘WRETCHED THINGS’ World Premiere in Londons’ Leicester Square

    Wretched Things – a hedonistic, seductive and sexy gay film – had its film premiere in Leicester Square last week – an achievement for its cast and crew.

     

    Written and Directed by Gage Oxley, and made by 16-25 year olds and inspired by the #MeToo and #TimesUp campaigns, Wretched Things deals with sexual exploitation, toxic masculinity and abuse of power. In it, a first-time model, a webcam sex worker, and a power-hungry homophobe journey through their insecurities and vulnerabilities. This hedonistic and seductive 80-minute film challenges toxic hyper-masculinity and the abuse of power through three vignettes.

    “Wretched Things challenges our thoughts about some of the insecurities and vulnerabilities we face through sexual exploitation, as well as highlighting the aggressors in our every day lives.” says Oxley.

    The film was shot entirely in Leeds, working with young professional filmmakers and artists based in Leeds. All cast and crew worked completely voluntarily, and made the feature-length film on a self-funded low budget. But it doesn’t look low budget at all. It has three throbbing storylines, and actors who will make you throb in other ways.

    The film, told in three chapters, stars popular talent such as Bruce Herbelin-Earle who appears in Netflixs’ Free Rein. For a taste of the film, check out the clip below

    Oxley, and his company Oxygen Films, hopes the film will make the gay film festival circuit and will open the doors for him, the actors and cast and crew, and Oxygen, for future projects. By the looks of this film, Oxley and his team are on the road to success.

     

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  • Taxi driver who raped male passenger in Leeds jailed

    Taxi driver who raped male passenger in Leeds jailed

    Mohammed Ilyas has been jailed for 12 years after being convicted of rape by a Leeds Crown Court.

    A taxi driver who orally raped another man who got into his car has been jailed for 12 years. Mohammed Ilyas, 44, was found guilty of raping a  passenger in the early hours one morning in May 2016. The unnamed victim, who had been drinking at a pub in Leeds, was put into the cab waiting outside the New Penny, in Leeds, by his friends, who assumed he would be safe.

    The court heard how LLyas drove his cab to a remote farm area where he orally raped his victim.

    The court heard how the victim had been driven to feeling suicidal following the attack. The impact state read, “Because of what the taxi driver did to me that night I have at many points been suicidal.

    “I never go to town alone anymore and will never get a taxi alone again.

    “I will never forget this. I don’t know when or if I will ever get over it.”

    “Engineering a situation”

    Jailing Ilyas for 12-years, Judge Tom Bayliss QC said, “I’m quite sure that you deliberately parked your taxi outside what you knew was a gay pub, thus deliberately engineering a situation where you found yourself alone in your taxi with a passenger who was incapacitated by drink.

    “That passenger had come from a pub, you then committed rape on him, a homosexual rape upon a man who you had seen coming from a gay pub. “I’m quite sure that you targeted (the victim).

    “It may not have been long in the planning, but once you saw, you him stopped your taxi and you targeted him.”

    Mr Llyas pleaded not guilty during his trial in September.

    Judge Bayliss also banned LLyas from contacting his victim and from returning to work as taxi driver in the future.

     

    If you need to speak to someone about sexual assault or rape, please contact Survivors UK for help and support. 

  • Gay couple barred entry to “mixed couples only” bar

    A bar in Leeds is investigating why two gay men were told that they could not enter the venue because they were not a “mixed sex couple”.

    Gay couple barred from venue, leeds
    Jake’s Bar in Leeds where gay couple Jake and Patrick say they were barred entry and told it was because they were not in a mixed-sex couple.

    Patrick Hannon, 30, and Jake Archer, 25 were told that they could not enter “Jake’s Bar” in Leeds on the 24th March. The couple were left “speechless” after being told they could not patronage the bar because they were both men, the BBC reports.

    Public sector worker Jake said that neither he or his partner were drunk when they tried to enter the venue and that there was no queue outside the bar. The couple has been together for 2 and a half years.

    “We were a bit taken aback to say anything,” he said.

    “I was just thinking that if Paddy was my girlfriend then we would have been allowed in. It’s discrimination.”

    After the incident, Jake took to Twitter to complain to the bar, saying, “I have just been turned away from your bar for not being “in a mixed-sex couple” – I was out with my boyfriend. Don’t you think this is discrimination: if I was with a girlfriend this would have been fine as you were only allowing mixed male and female groups in?”

    Manager Paul Lane said it has a “strict equality and diversity policy” and would “never discriminate” against anyone.

    The bar has launched an investigation into their “external door team”.

    He said, “We have many customers who identify with LGBTQIA+ communities who frequent the bar regularly.”

    It is against the law to discriminate against anyone on the basis or the perception of someone’s sexuality. A bar cannot, for instance, bar entry because they are gay or a gay couple.

     

  • THEATRE REVIEW | The Little Mermaid – Edinburgh Festival Theatre

    ★★★★| The Little Mermaid – Edinburgh Festival Theatre

    THEATRE REVIEW | The Little Mermaid - Edinburgh Festival Theatre

    *This review was taken from the Leeds Grand Theatre review*

    Northern Ballet return with their third new ballet this year, The Little Mermaid. Based on the much loved fairy-tale, the ballet tells the story of Marilla, the little mermaid who dreams of life above the waves, and who falls in love with Prince Adir after she saves him from drowning. But her love is unrequited; as the Prince falls in love with another young woman who he mistakenly believes saved him. Exchanging her tail for legs, and with her voice lost, Marilla sets about trying to win his heart.

    David Nixon’s choreography is well conceived, and executed, with a keen eye for detail and a style that lends itself well to the underwater setting.  The nuances of the choreography are impressive, with a real fluidity of movement in the underwater setting, reflecting life beneath the ocean and the gentle swaying of the current. Nothing stays still underwater, whether it is the beautifully designed flowing costumes, the mermaids held aloft as they weave and bob across the stage, or the ever-active limbs of the ensemble cast, with the sequential movement of the dancers accurately depicting the ebb and flow of the tide. But perhaps the crowning glory to this is Nixon’s use of the ensemble cast at one entity – the sea – and using these multiple bodies as one to form the ocean into a character in itself.

    The original score, which has been composed by Sally Beamish, flits between the primarily light and playful to the romantic and finally to the dramatic, feeling cinematic and engaging. The costumes work very well, with long flowing skirts that accentuate the gesticulation and mobility of the cast. Joseph Taylor was engaging and charismatic as Prince Adair, whilst Abigail Prudames enchanted as the titular character and the delicate movements of the cast as a whole was technically well executed.

    The ballet itself appears deceptively simple.  The demarcation between land and sea seems to be little more than a lighting change, and two large concave structures are used to good effect to set each location; thrusting the narrative to the forefront and portraying that with ease and clarity.  The narrative is decidedly darker than the familiar saccharine Disney version, adhering more closely to the source material, but is all the better for it. What the audience is left with is a production which requires very little thought as a viewer, allowing you to simply be able to be swept away by the music and movement on stage.

    Visit Northern Ballet’s Website for details.

     

  • THEATRE REVIEW | The Little Mermaid – Leeds Grand Theatre

    ★★★★| The Little Mermaid – Leeds Grand Theatre

    THEATRE REVIEW | The Little Mermaid - Leeds Grand Theatre

    Northern Ballet return with their third new ballet this year, The Little Mermaid. Based on the much loved fairy-tale, the ballet tells the story of Marilla, the little mermaid who dreams of life above the waves, and who falls in love with Prince Adir after she saves him from drowning. But her love is unrequited; as the Prince falls in love with another young woman who he mistakenly believes saved him. Exchanging her tail for legs, and with her voice lost, Marilla sets about trying to win his heart.

    David Nixon’s choreography is well conceived, and executed, with a keen eye for detail and a style that lends itself well to the underwater setting.  The nuances of the choreography are impressive, with a real fluidity of movement in the underwater setting, reflecting life beneath the ocean and the gentle swaying of the current. Nothing stays still underwater, whether it is the beautifully designed flowing costumes, the mermaids held aloft as they weave and bob across the stage, or the ever-active limbs of the ensemble cast, with the sequential movement of the dancers accurately depicting the ebb and flow of the tide. But perhaps the crowning glory to this is Nixon’s use of the ensemble cast at one entity – the sea – and using these multiple bodies as one to form the ocean into a character in itself.

    The original score, which has been composed by Sally Beamish, flits between the primarily light and playful to the romantic and finally to the dramatic, feeling cinematic and engaging. The costumes work very well, with long flowing skirts that accentuate the gesticulation and mobility of the cast. Joseph Taylor was engaging and charismatic as Prince Adair, whilst Abigail Prudames enchanted as the titular character and the delicate movements of the cast as a whole was technically well executed.

    The ballet itself appears deceptively simple.  The demarcation between land and sea seems to be little more than a lighting change, and two large concave structures are used to good effect to set each location; thrusting the narrative to the forefront and portraying that with ease and clarity.  The narrative is decidedly darker than the familiar saccharine Disney version, adhering more closely to the source material, but is all the better for it. What the audience is left with is a production which requires very little thought as a viewer, allowing you to simply be able to be swept away by the music and movement on stage.

    The Little Mermaid is at Leeds Grand Theatre until 17th December 2017, before moving on to Edinburgh, Milton Keynes and Leicester in the New Year. In 2018, Northern Ballet will be touring with a Mixed Programme, Jayne Eyre, The Three Musketeers and The Nutcracker. Visit Northern Ballet’s Website for details.

     

  • Railway bridge given a rainbow makeover to celebrate LGBT community

    Railway bridge given a rainbow makeover to celebrate LGBT community

    A 100-year-old railway bridge which passes through the gay village of Leeds has received a rainbow makeover.

    The rainbow bridge leeds
    CREDIT: Joe Burke / JoeMB Media

    The rail bridge HUL4/53, which is called the Leeds Freedom Bridge, has been coloured the colours of the LGBT rainbow flag. The update is all thanks to Network Rail, Leeds City Council and local LGBT diversity campaigner Thomas Wales.

    ALSO READ: Do you know your LGBT pride flags? Take the Quiz

    Speaking about the update, Thomas Wales, ‘Leeds Freedom Bridge’ project leader and LGB&T campaigner, said,

    “Each colour represents something different, from Life and Harmony to Nature and Spirit, it is also a scheme that has been adopted internationally to celebrate freedom in sexuality and gender identity in our city. It is destined to become a landmark we can all be proud of.”

    Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy executive member for culture, said,

    “This bridge represents a tremendous show of support for the city’s LGBT community. Not only will the Leeds Freedom Bridge be an eye-catching addition to what is already a lively and electric part of Leeds, it will also make a huge statement to our many visitors, that here, we embrace and celebrate diversity and the contribution it makes to ensuring Leeds is such a warm, welcoming and successful city.”

    The rainbow paintwork commenced in December and was completed in February 2017, just in time to share the Freedom Bridge love over the Valentine’s weekend.

  • GIG REVIEW | The Pet Shop Boys Super Tour – Leeds First Direct Arena

    GIG REVIEW | The Pet Shop Boys Super Tour – Leeds First Direct Arena

    ★★★★| The Pet Shop Boys Super Tour – Leeds First Direct Arena

    32 years ago, The Pet Shop Boys burst onto the music scene with West End Girls, their first single and their first of many number ones. 32 years later, they have kicked off their UK tour, Super, at Leeds First Direct Arena, touring off the back of their latest two albums, Super and Electric, their set featured selected tracks from those albums along with a host of classic tracks and a few unexpected songs. The question is, have The Pet Shop Boys still got it? TheGayUK were there to bring you the lowdown.

    (c) Tej

    Opening with Inner Sanctum, the band rattled though some of their more recent tracks, including The Pop Kids, Burn, and The Dictator Decides from their latest album, Super, and Love is a Bourgeois Concept and Inside a Dream from their Electric Album.  These latter two albums have had a heavy dance music slant, and the songs sounded great performed live, with the crowd on their feet and the bass reverberating in your chest. Scattered amongst the set list were some unusual, but welcome choices, such as In The Night, New York City Boy, The Sodom and Gomorrah Show and a beautifully subtle version of Home and Dry, the latter being a real highlight of the show.

    But it was, of course, the classic hits including West End Girls, Love Comes Quickly, Domino Dancing, Always On My Mind and new versions of Left To My Own Devices and Go West, which really got the crowd going; and the seminal It’s A Sin was a clear winner within the sold out arena.

    Accompanying the music was a projected backdrop and a jaw dropping light and laser show, creating a visual feast and an assault on the senses, as the lasers reached out into the audience, jabbing them with bony coloured fingers, before bathing them in soft sheets of light which penetrated the smoky atmosphere of the arena. Dispensing with the need for backing dancers and elaborate dance routines, the band’s presentation of electronic entertainment neatly mirrored their pioneering electronic sound. The visuals in themselves are worth the price of admission.

    Tennant’s voice still sounds as solid as ever, the vocals were clear and songs that were over 30 years old still sounded contemporary as they neatly nestled between the new tracks. However, whilst the light show was incredible, there were times when you were so blinded by the constant flashing lights aimed directly at you, that the movement on stage and the band themselves were obscured as they became washed out in a sea of light; and judging by the reaction of the crowd, a few more of the classic hits would have been welcome, although with such an extensive back catalogue to choose from, it is inevitable that there will be some omissions.

    With an extravagant stage show, breath-taking visuals and a sound which never seems to age, the question is have the Pet Shop Boys still got it? And they absolutely have.

    The Super Tour kicked off on the 18th February 2017 and tours at various locations including Manchester, Nottingham, Glasgow, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Edinburgh, London and Blackpool. Visit the official website at http://petshopboys.co.uk/tour for details.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | The Boys In The Band – West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds

    THEATRE REVIEW | The Boys In The Band – West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds

    ★★★★| Set in Brooklyn in the late 1960’s , nine gay men gather in an apartment to celebrate a friends birthday. Michael is an alcoholic shopaholic, Harold is a self-depreciating “Jew Fairy” (as he describes himself), Larry and Hank are a couple trying to make their differing views on monogamy fit together and Emory is as camp as they come. Throw into the mix a rather attractive, but dumb, cowboy hustler, a closeted testosterone filled ex-college roommate and copious amounts of booze and pot, and it’s not long before lives unravel, tempers fray and a cruel party game emerges.

     

    Photo Credit - Darren Bell
    Photo Credit – Darren Bell

    This long overdue revival of Mart Crowley’s classic play is most welcome, and whilst it is no longer as shocking as it was in the late 1960’s, the relevance and impact still resonates today; as, sadly, do the undertones of self-loathing and internalised homophobia. The range of characteristics on show from the main protagonists may seem slightly cliché now, but still manage to reflect a number of the sub groups within the gay community and the issues facing them. The first act is a rather whimsical affair, as the characters arrive and you get to know them, but as the second act progresses, the narrative takes a darker turn, leading to a gripping dénouement.

    The cast is strong all round, with solid performances from the ensemble, particularly Mark Gattis (Sherlock, Doctor Who) puts in an effortless performance as Harold, filled with subtlety and natural aloofness. Ian Hallard (Poirot, Doctors) holds the cast together as Michael, and James Holmes (Miranda, Psychoville) is delightful as Emory, brimming with campery and confidence. And whilst Jack Derges (Andy Flynn in EastEnders) is a vision of physical perfection, he proves he is much more than the token eye candy with an enjoyable performance as the dim witted (and mostly shirtless) cowboy hustler.

    The set is authentic and beautifully detailed, as are the costumes, but even though the fashions and décor have altered, the issues raised have not; and whilst some of the social impact of the play may have lessened with time, the personal impact hasn’t, and the gay audience will recognise aspects of themselves, their peers and their experiences amongst the events of the evening.

    With some sharp one liners, genuine emotion and some top notch performances; don’t miss your last chance to see this this excellent revival before it ends its run. The Boys in the Band is playing at West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, until Saturday 19th November 2016. See www.wyp.org.uk for details.

     

  • Pro gay rights MP dies after being shot and stabbed multiple times

    A British politician has died after being stabbed and shot in the street in her constituency.

    Embed from Getty Images

    MP Jo Cox has died after being shot and stabbed several times in an attack in her constituency.

    The 41-year-old Labour politician had only recently begun her career in the Houses of Parliament after being voted in as the MP for Batley and Spen near Leeds in the latest general election in 2015.

    The lawmaker had recently called on the government to “to take further steps to end discrimination and bigotry against LGBT people in the UK and around the world”.

    A man, Tommy Mair has been arrested and is being questioned by police.

    West Yorkshire police said,

    “At 12.53 today, police were called to a report of an incident on Market Street, Birstall, where a woman in her 40s had suffered serious injuries and is in a critical condition.

    “Armed officers attended and a 52-year-old man was arrested in the area. There are no further details at present.

    “Police presence in the area has been increased as a reassurance to the community.”

    Embed from Getty Images

    The streets surrounding the area in which Ms Cox was attacked have been cleared and forensics teams are sweeping the area for clues and evidence.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn condemned the attack on Cox saying,

    “The whole of the Labour Party and Labour family – and indeed the whole country – will be in shock at the horrific murder of Jo Cox today.

    “Jo had a lifelong record of public service and a deep commitment to humanity. She worked both for Oxfam and the anti-slavery charity, the Freedom Fund, before she was elected last year as MP for Batley and Spen – where she was born and grew up.

    “Jo was dedicated to getting us to live up to our promises to support the developing world and strengthen human rights – and she brought those values and principles with her when she became an MP.

    “Jo died doing her public duty at the heart of our democracy, listening to and representing the people she was elected to serve. It is a profoundly important cause for us all.

    “Jo was universally liked at Westminster, not just by her Labour colleagues, but across Parliament.

    “In the coming days, there will be questions to answer about how and why she died. But for now all our thoughts are with Jo’s husband Brendan and their two young children. They will grow up without their mum, but can be immensely proud of what she did, what she achieved and what she stood for.

    “We send them our deepest condolences. We have lost a much loved colleague, a real talent and a dedicated campaigner for social justice and peace. But they have lost a wife and a mother, and our hearts go out to them.”

    Ms Cox is survived by two children and her husband Brendan Cox.