Tories will not contest parliamentary seat of Cox

The Conservatives will not contest the parliamentary seat of Jo Cox, who was murdered on Thursday outside a library in Bristall, near Leeds.

Grant Shapps, the former Conservative party chairman, tweeted on Friday morning he hoped the party will not field a candidate for the Batley and Spen by-election.

“I hope that in the sad by-election to follow, Jo Cox's constituency is left uncontested as a tribute to Jo's extraordinary public service.”

The party later confirmed the vacated seat will not be contested by the Tories, as Prime Minister David Cameron, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and speaker of the house John Bercow headed to Bristall to pay their respects.

In a statement the Conservative party said: “Following the tragic killing of Labour MP Jo Cox, the Conservative Party has decided not to contest the forthcoming by-election as a mark of respect to a much-loved and respected politician.”

The Batley and Spen seat has been held by Labour since 1997. The date of the by-election will not be set until Labour moves the writ to schedule it in the House of Commons.

The last sitting member of parliament to be killed was Conservative MP Ian Gow who was murdered by the IRA in 1990. His seat of Eastbourne was contested by other parties and was won by Liberal Democrat David Bellotti.

Thomas Mair, 52, was arrested by West Yorkshire Police in suspicion of killing Jo Cox on Thursday and the police said they are not looking for any other individuals.