Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Thousands honour Jo

MURDERED MP’S HUSBAND AND MALALA PAY TRIBUTE AT MEMORIAL

by REENA KUMAR


ASIDE from the occasional sound of sirens and roaring planes flying above Trafalgar Square carrying a Vote Leave banner, you couldn’t hear a pin drop during Jo Cox’s moving memorial.

Thousands of friends, former col- leagues and people who had never met the popular Batley and Spen MP, who spent her life campaigning for others, gathered in London to pay tribute to the mother of two last Wednesday (22).

Images of sparky Cox, who was killed two weeks ago, were projected onto the screens as

well-wishersclutched white roses to celebrate her Yorkshire roots.

Celebrities including Lilly Allen, Gillian Anderson and Bill Night sang and read poems to the crowd who had gathered on what would have been Cox’s 42nd birth- day as events were held across the globe from New York to Nairobi.

However, it was the moment her husband Brendan spoke, giving a eulogy about his beloved wife that moved many to tears.

Earlier that afternoon, he had travelled with their two young children – Lejla, three, and Cuillin, five on a boat after mooring a dinghy filled with flowers in the River Thames outside the Houses of Parliament. The family had lived on a houseboat when they stayed in London.

In a tearful speech, Brendan said Jo’s killing was an “act of terror designed to advance an agenda of hatred towards others”.

“What a beautiful irony it is that an act designed to advance hatred has instead generated such an outpouring of love,” he added.

Brendan said Jo would have spent the day (before the EU referendum) dashing around the streets of her home town try- ing to convince people that Britain was stronger in Europe.

“She hated the idea of building walls between us and worried about the dy- namics that that could bring.”

But his emotional address was interrupted by the noise of a plane carrying a banner, which read: Take Control #Vote Leave, to the dismay of the crowd.

Teenage activist Malala Yousafzai, the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize winner, received a cheer as she took to the stage.

She made the crowd laugh as she told them that the one thing she had in common with the mother of two was that they were both small.

“Jo showed us all that you can be small and still be a giant and that’s what she was – a giant. She proved that she was a giant when she stood up to declare that we have more in common than that what divides us,” Malala said.

The 18-year-old added: “There is a reason that extremists resort to violence – they cannot win a battle of ideas. Jo’s life is proof that a message of peace is more powerful than any weapon of war. Once again extremists cannot win.”

To end the emotional service, a video was played showing the MP building a snowman with her young children and singing with them.

More For You

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Diwali

This year’s Diwali event will still see Belgrave Road continue to host what is left of the festival. (Representational image)

Major changes announced for Leicester’s Diwali celebrations amid safety fears

LDRS

THIS year’s annual Diwali celebrations will be stripped back amid public safety fears. Leicester City Council has said there will be no fireworks or stage entertainment as part of major changes announced for the event.

Cossington Street Recreation Ground will also not be used for the festivities, the council has revealed. The green space previously was the location for the main stage and the Diwali Village with its food stalls, funfair rides, fashion and arts. The annual fire garden display was also based there, offering “a peaceful oasis amid the festive excitement”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Corbyn- Zarah Sultana

Zarah Sultana with Jeremy Corbyn during a protest outside Downing Street demanding the UK government to stop all arms sales to Israel. (Photo: X/@zarahsultana)

X/@zarahsultana

Zarah Sultana leaves Labour, plans new party with Corbyn and independents

FORMER Labour MP Zarah Sultana has announced her resignation from the party and plans to launch a new political party alongside ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and other independent MPs and activists.

Sultana, who represents Coventry South, lost the Labour whip last year for supporting the removal of the two-child benefit cap.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hasmukh Shah

The certificate was presented to Shah at the Welsh parliament by Anita Bailey, Home Office Director Windrush Unit.

Hasmukh Shah receives UK minister’s certificate of appreciation

A prominent Asian doctor has been recognised for his services to the community. Prof Hasmukh Shah has received a certificate of appreciation for his contribution and services to the United Kingdom.

The certificate was issued by Seema Malhotra MP, UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship, as part of the Windrush Cymru Elders and Race Council Cymru’s Windrush work in Wales.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dalai-Lama-Getty

Dalai Lama looks on as offerings presented by Buddhist followers are laid on a table during a Long Life Prayer offering ceremony at the Main Tibetan Temple in McLeod Ganj, near Dharamsala, India, on June 30, 2025.(Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

India says Dalai Lama alone can decide successor

A SENIOR Indian minister has said that only the Dalai Lama and the organisation he has established have the authority to decide his successor as the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. The comment runs contrary to China’s long-standing position on the matter.

The Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule, said on Wednesday that after his death he would be reincarnated as the next spiritual leader, and that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust would be able to identify his successor. He had earlier said that the next Dalai Lama would be born outside China.

Keep ReadingShow less