Mark Carney scraps original Mansion House speech after death of Jo Cox
Governor of the Bank of England Mark Carney will not deliver his planned Mansion House speech this evening after Labour MP Jo Cox died following an attack in her West Yorkshire constituency office this afternoon.
Carney was expected to use his annual address – a fixture of the City’s financial and social calendar – to talk about the fintech sector and the future of financial services.
A statement from the Bank, issued shortly after the news of Cox’s death was confirmed said:
“In light of the dreadful attack today on Jo Cox, the governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, will no longer be delivering the planned speech at Mansion House. The governor will be attending the event and will now deliver a short speech reflecting on today’s events.”
It is believed the chancellor, George Osborne, will also not deliver his planned speech at the dinner, instead paying tribute to the Labour MP who joined the Commons after victory at the Birstall constituency in last year’s General Election.
MPs from all parties issued statements reflecting on the events and expressing their sympathy for Cox’s family. Both Vote Leave and Britain Stronger in Europe suspended campaigning.