Tributes to a rail worker who died after being spat on by a person who claimed to have coronavirus have led Prime Minister's Questions.
Speaking during PMQs in the House of Commons on Wednesday lunchtime, Boris Johnson described her death as "tragic".
He said: "The fact that she was abused for doing her job is utterly appalling.
"My thoughts, and I'm sure the thoughts of the whole House, are with her family."
Labour leader Keir Starmer added his condolences, describing her death as being "in awful circumstances".
Belly Mujinga, 47, who had underlying respiratory problems, was working at Victoria station in London in March when she was assaulted, along with a female colleague.
Within days of the incident, both women fell ill with the virus.
Ms Mujinga April was put on a ventilator on April 2, but she died three days later, the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA), said.
British Transport Police yesterday announced that they have launched an investigation into her death.
Earlier today Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said that the death Belly Mujinga was not about PPE.
Her cousin Agnes has said she should not have been sent out with out PPE .
She said: “She shouldn’t have been sent out without any PPE.
"We want justice for Belly. They need to find the person who did it. And the company should compensate the family; her daughter doesn’t have a mother any more.
"They should protect those who are left.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the case was "absolutely heartbreaking", but that it was a criminal matter, not about staff having more protective equipment.
On Radio 4 this morning Mr Shapps said: "Nobody should be spat at, this is not a question of PPE. It’s just disgusting and I know the British Transport Police are investigating.
“It’s a very very sad her death and indeed the deaths of around 50 transport workers, something I take particularly seriously.”
He added: “Clearly nobody should ever be spitting at somebody. That’s a criminal offence and I know that investigation is under way.”
A spokeswoman for Govia added that official government advice at the time of the incident was that “PPE for our staff was not required”.
The TSSA union has reported the incident to the Railway Inspectorate, the safety arm of the Office of Rail and Road, for investigation and is taking legal advice.
TSSA General Secretary Manuel Cortes the union was “shocked and devastated" at Belly’s death.
He added: "She is one of far too many frontline workers who have lost their lives to coronavirus.
“Sadly, Belly’s is just one of many family tragedies where children have had their parents taken away from them. However, there are serious questions about her death; it wasn't inevitable.
“As a vulnerable person in the ‘at risk’ category, and her condition known to her employer, there are questions about why she wasn’t stood down from frontline duties early on in this pandemic.
“Rather than talking about easing the lockdown, the government must first ensure the right precautions and protections have been taken so more lives are not lost."
