A man who shot and stabbed Labour MP Jo Cox reportedly shouted “Britain First”, according to an eyewitness.
Speaking to Sky News the witness said the attacker appeared to be in his 60s or 70s. He added that the man walked very slowly away from the scene after the attack.
Ms Cox is believed to be a in a “critical condition” and has been airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary. The Labour MP was shot and stabbed whilst holding an advice surgery for her constituents.
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."
A witness told the Dewsbury Reporter: “The whole scene has been tapped off. There are armed police everywhere”. Another witness said an onlooker tackled a man to the floor and tried to take the gun from him. Moments later, a second shot was heard.
Witness Hithem Ben Abdallah, 56, was in the cafe next door to the library shortly after 1pm when he heard screaming and went outside. He told Sky News: "There was a guy who was being very brave and another guy with a white baseball cap who he was trying to control and the man in the baseball cap suddenly pulled a gun from his bag."
After a brief scuffle, he said the man stepped back and the MP became involved.
He added: "He was fighting with her and wrestling with her and then the gun went off twice and then she fell between two cars and I came and saw her bleeding on the floor."
Witness Daniel Blyth, 38, a company director from the town, told the Yorkshire Post newspaper that the assault was “unusual”. He added: “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.”
