MP in emotional tribute to friend Jo Cox during Syria debate
One of Jo Cox's best friends in UK Parliament fought back tears as she paid tribute to her former colleague's stance on refugees.
Alison McGovern was speaking during Tuesday's emergency debate on Syria. Mrs Cox, who was killed outside her constituency surgery in Birstall, near Leeds, in June, championed the cause of refugees from Syria.
Ms McGovern, the Labour MP for Wirral South, told the House what she thought Mrs Cox would have made of the unfolding situation.
Fighting back tears, Ms McGovern said: "I cannot help noting that in serving as co-chair of the (All-Party) Friends of Syria group, I am taking up the role of my friend Jo Cox.
"She would have been here and she would have known what was needed.
"Most of all, I think she would have said we should help refugees fleeing Syria, not just 20,000 by 2020, but many more, much more quickly."
Before her death, Mrs Cox called for the Government to resettle more refugees from Syria and other conflict zones, particularly unaccompanied children.
Responding to Ms McGovern, fellow Labour MP John Woodcock said: "There is no one better who could seek to step into the shoes of our dear missed friend Jo Cox than her."
Alison McGovern was in tears earlier speaking about taking on Jo Cox's role as co-chair of @appgsyria. #Syria pic.twitter.com/n62ak1SDVM
— Matt Murphy (@Matt__Murphy) October 11, 2016
