FLAGS were at half-mast across Teignbridge today in the wake of the killing of Yorkshire MP Jo Cox.

Newton Abbot’s clock tower together with the town and district council offices featured the lowered flags as a mark of respect for the popular Labour MP and mother of two who was shot, stabbed and kicked in a gruesome attack after leaving a surgery with constituents in Birstall, West Yorkshire, early yesterday afternoon.

A 52-year-old man was arrested at the scene in connection with the brutal street slaying.

Today it was business as usual for Newton Abbot MP Ann Marie Morris who was holding a surgery in the town.

She said she was determined to go ahead with her schedule this morning despite the tragedy.

Ms Morris who knew Jo Cox, 41, paid tribute to her Commons colleague.

She said: ‘We have lost a real campaigning Member of Parliament.

‘I will carry on with my surgery today as planned. It will be business as usual. I am determined we must go on as normal, and I know it is what Jo would have wanted.’

Ms Morris was due to meet constituents at the Passmore Edwards building in the town at 11am.

One constituent said: ‘It is a sad day for the country after hearing of the cold-blooded killing of a British MP - irrespective of politics. It is such a sad time in British history.’