Beta test for suspension of elections???  Maybe, maybe not.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-06-16/british-labor-mp-jo-cox-shot-and-stabbed-assailant-who-allegedly-shouting-britain-fi

Brexit Campaigns Suspended After British Lawmaker Critically Shot By "Britain First" Shouting Assailant

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Update:  As BBG adds, campaigning was suspended in Britain’s European Union membership referendum after news of the attack, which happened just before 1 p.m., came out.

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Update: Responding to unconfirmed allegations the shooter shouted "Britain First!" before the incident, the group Britain First has said:

A single eyewitness also claimed (unconfirmed) that the assailant “apparently” shouted “Britain First” during the attack, but this is pure hearsay at the moment.
 
There is LOTS of use of words such as “apparently” and “allegedly”.
 
That hasn’t stopped the media publishing multiple articles condemning Britain First for somehow being involved.
 
Britain First obviously is NOT involved and would never encourage behaviour of this sort.
 
As an MP and and a mother, we pray that Jo Cox makes a full recovery.


With tensions in the UK already running high ahead of next week's historic Brexit vote, moments ago the Guardian reported that Jo Cox, the MP for Batley and Spen, was in critical condition after she was shot and stabbed in her West Yorkshire constituency.  The Labour politician was injured in the attack and there is an ongoing police operation in the area, a witness told the Press Association.  It is unclear who the assailant was or the motive.

The following statement has been released from West Yorkshire Police:

"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 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."
The Labour Party have released the following statement:

"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."
Armed officers are reportedly on the scene in Birstall, near Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. West Yorkshire police said in a tweet: “We are aware of a serious incident ongoing in Birstall. Details will be released in the press in due course.”

The attack reportedly took place near the town’s library, where the MP holds advice surgeries. Yorkshire ambulance service said it was aware of an incident but had no further information.  According to a Labour source, Cox was shot and stabbed after she had conducted her morning surgery for constituents.

Another person, who has not been identified, was also injured and both were taken to hospital, the source said. The attack was said to have taken place sometime after 1pm.

The whole incident lasted about 15 to 20 minutes according to witness Mr Abdallah, and another bystander told him Ms Cox had also been stabbed.

He added: "He was kicking her and he was pulling her by her hair. A very courageous man from the dry cleaners tried to restrain him and he couldn't stop him because all of a sudden he pulled a gun. She was a standing still target for him when he shot her."

Witness Clarke Rothwell told BBC News said there was an altercation between a man carrying a gun and Cox. He purposefully targeted her, said Rothwell, who runs the cafe next to the library where the incident took place.

“He shot this lady and then shot her again,” he said. “He lent down. Someone was wrestling with him and he was wielding a knife and lunging at her. Three times she was shot. People were trying to help her. Then he ran off down a one-way street. Me and my mate drove round to try and find him.”