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Rival MPs could sit together in House of Commons in show of unity for Jo Cox

For the first time in living memory MPs from different parties could give up traditional places

Oliver Wright
Political Editor
Sunday 19 June 2016 14:31 BST
Parliament is due to be recalled on Monday to allow MPs to pay tribute to the Labour MP
Parliament is due to be recalled on Monday to allow MPs to pay tribute to the Labour MP (Reuters)

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For the first time in living memory MPs from different political parties could give up their traditional places in the House of Commons on Monday in a show of unity to remember Jo Cox.

Parliament is due to be recalled to allow MPs to pay tribute to the Labour MP who was murdered outside her constituency surgery last week.

Under a plan being considered MPs would not sit along normal party lines for the debate but instead spread around the chamber.

Speaking on The Andrew Marr Show the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he had heard the suggestion and was interested in the idea.

“I received that suggestion last night,” he said. “We’re thinking about that.

He added: “An MP dies and it is an attack on all of us. In her memory we have to create a more tolerant society.”

Mr Corbyn said he had also had discussions about MPs security before Ms Cox’s death – but added that he did not want elected politicians to become remote from their constituents.

Jo Cox: Tributes to the Labour MP

He said that MPs could not do their job if they did not keep in touch with people who vote for them.

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