Jo Cox death: Barack Obama calls murdered MP's husband as mourners gather at vigils across the UK

'We remember her as a fighter for justice in everything that she did'

Former Labour Leader Ed Miliband, former deputy Leader of the Labour Party Harriet Harman and Labour MP for Ilford North Wes Streeting attend a vigil in memory of Labour MP Jo Cox on Parliament Square (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Hundreds of mourners have attended vigils and across Britain to pay their respects to murdered MP Jo Cox.

In London, Parliament Square was packed as two minutes' silence were held.

Among the many people to lay flowers in the square was former Labour leader Ed Miliband. Also in attendance were the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, Commons Speaker John Bercow, former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman and Ukip leader Nigel Farage.

Later on Friday evening, US President Barack Obama spoke to Cox's husband and offered his condolences on behalf of the American people..

"The President noted that the world is a better place because of her selfless service to others, and that there can be no justification for this heinous crime, which robbed a family, a community, and a nation of a dedicated wife, mother, and public servant," the White House said in a statement.

Speaking to those gathered, Mr Miliband said: "We remember her as a fighter for justice in everything that she did. We remember her as somebody who showed no fear in the face of danger, and we remember her too as somebody of the greatest warmth, the greatest generosity and the greatest compassion."

He added: "Let us pledge to honour her memory every day by building a world where there is more love and less hate."

Fellow parliamentarian, Wes Streeting, MP for for Ilford North, gave a speech which was praised on social media.

In comments reported by The Guardian, he said: “The solidarity we have seen in the last days has been overwhelming and, in time of overwhelming grief, it can be hard to find anything positive to hold on to.”

“What we can all do is to pledge ourselves to build the world that Jo was fighting for; a world of humanity, decency, compassion, solidarity, human rights, social justice, of simple kindness.”

In Wales, around 300 people, including local MP Stephen Kinnock, gathered in Castle Square, Aberavon, Wales to remember Mrs Cox.

Vigils have also been held in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Addressing the crowd in George Square, Glasgow, Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale paid tribute to someone she said was "the very definition of a moral crusade, wrapped up in humour and love".

Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the Scottish national Party, said the murder had “hit all of us as politicians very hard,” the BBC reported.

She continued: “I think I speak on behalf of all of us when I say we are determined, and inspired by Jo Cox, to rededicate ourselves to the notion of politics and public service as a force for good."

A vigil is due to be held in Belfast at midday on Sunday outside the City Hall, the Labour Party in Northern Ireland said.