Politicians across Hertfordshire have paid tribute to MP Jo Cox who was murdered in a horrifying attack yesterday.

The Labour MP and mother-of-two died after being shot and stabbed in the street outside her constituency advice surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire.

St Albans MP Anne Main said: "This is a human tragedy, and my thoughts and feelings are with her family and friends.

"As someone in public life, there can at times be a culture of distressed and aggressive behaviour towards members of parliament.

"We as MPs must continue to be open and accessible to the public as this is the very cornerstone of a free and open society."

The Conservative MP added: "You can profoundly disagree with someone and put your views across in a forthright manner, but this must be done in the spirit of disagreement.

"MPs have a duty to engage with their constituents, and meeting with local residents is an essential part of our democracy.

"Jo Cox was serving her constituents in the best way she could and it is a tragedy that she has been taken at the beginning of her public life."

Mrs Cox, 41, was shot and stabbed just before 1pm yesterday in her Batley and Spen constituency.

She was pronounced dead around an hour later, leaving her husband Brendan and two young children, aged three and five.

West Yorkshire Police have arrested a 52-year-old man, named locally as Thomas Mair.

MPs from across the political spectrum have paid tribute to the newly elected MP, with many describing her as an admired and respected presence in Westminster.

Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "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.

"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."