Tory standing in Jo Cox's former seat: 'We've not yet shot anybody'
Ann Myatt apologises for her "ill-judged" remarks, which left Labour's Tracy Brabin, a friend of the murdered MP, visibly shocked.
Tuesday 30 May 2017 06:12, UK
The Conservative candidate standing in murdered MP Jo Cox's former seat has blamed a "tiring day" for telling a hustings: "We've not yet shot anybody so that's wonderful."
Ann Myatt has apologised for her "ill-judged" comments, which left Labour's Tracy Brabin, a friend of Mrs Cox, visibly shocked and provoked gasps and groans from members of the audience.
Mother-of-two days before last year's EU referendum.
In a statement, Ms Myatt said: "I wholeheartedly apologise for my ill-judged remarks at the hustings and for any offence they caused.
"I said sorry at the time and would like to apologise again for my comments, which were out of character and came at the end of a tiring day."
Video of the event, obtained by the Daily Mirror and Mail Online, shows Ms Myatt discussing integration and saying: "This sort of evening is absolutely first-rate because we have here people of all faiths, we have here people from different parts of the community and we've not yet shot anybody so that's wonderful."
Labour's national election coordinator Andrew Gwynne said: "These remarks are appalling. That they come from the Conservative candidate beggars belief."
He also called for Tory leader Theresa May's campaign to "immediately apologise".
Former Coronation Street star Ms Brabin is seeking to be re-elected after replacing Mrs Cox, 41, following a by-election last year.
Ms Brabin's maiden House of Commons speech was applauded by MPs after she paid tribute to her friend and "inspiration".
She struck a defiant tone throughout, telling the Commons: "Batley and Spen will not be defined by the one person who took from us, but by the many who give."