A Labour MP has been shot and stabbed whilst holding an advice surgery for her constituents.
Jo Cox, the MP for Batley and Spen, was attacked outside a library in the town of Birstall, West Yorkshire, where she was holding the event.
Eyewitnesses report that the 41-year-old mother of two was left lying bleeding on the pavement after the incident.
She was subsequently airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary. Her condition is reported to be critical and serious.
West Yorkshire Police said a 52-year-old man had been arrested.
“At 12.53 today, police were called to a report of an incident on Market Street, Birstall, where a woman in her 40s had suffered serious injuries and is in a critical condition," a spokesperson said.
“A man in his late 40s to early 50s nearby also suffered slight injuries. Armed officers attended and a 52-year-old man was arrested in the area. There are no further details at present.
“Police presence in the area has been increased as a reassurance to the community.”
Labour MP Maria Eagle tweeted that the attacker shouted "Britain first" during the assault.
Witness Daniel Blyth, 38, a company director from the town, told the Yorkshire Post newspaper that the assault was “unusual”.
“I saw seven police cars racing up Leeds Road towards Morley. They were unmarked BMWs,” he said.
“There are two helicopters flying overhead. It all seems very dramatic. I have heard that two people have been shot but I’m not who are why. It’s all very unusual for Birstall.”
Eyewitnesses told Sky News the assailant appeared to be using an adapted replica or homemade gun.
Ms Cox chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group on Syria and is currently a backbencher.
She was elected in 2015 and previously served on the Communities and Local Government Select Committee.
A number of MPs have been subject to assaults while going about their work in recent years.
East Ham MP Stephen Timms was stabbed twice during a constituency surgery at a library in May 2010. The attacker, Roshonara Choudhry said she had been influenced by Al Qaeda and that her attack had been in revenge for the Iraq War.
Mr Timms suffered potentially life-threatening wounds but recovered and continued as an MP.
In January 2000, Cheltenham MP Nigel Jones was injured in an attack at his local office by constituent Robert Ashman with a samurai sword. That MP’s assistant, local councillor Andrew Pennington was killed in the attack.
David Cameron tweeted that he was "very concerned" about reports the MP had been injured. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Jo and her family," he added.
A Labour spokesperson said: "We're aware of the incident that happened this afternoon.
"All our thoughts are with Jo Cox and her family. We cannot give any further updates at this time."
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "Utterly shocked by the news of the attack on Jo Cox. The thoughts of the whole Labour Party are with her and her family at this time."
Both the Remain and Leave campaigns in the EU referendum have suspended their operations in the wake of the incident.
