Suspension of Britain’s EU vote campaign extended – officials

LONDON, United Kingdom – Major campaign events for Britain’s EU referendum on June 23 will be suspended for a third day on Saturday, June 18, following the murder of lawmaker Jo Cox, both sides told the Agence France-Presse on Friday, June 17.

“Vote Leave will be suspending major campaign events tomorrow such as the planned rally in Birmingham,” in central England, a spokesman for the Brexit camp said, adding however that low key campaigning like leafleting was likely to continue.

A spokesman for the official “Remain” camp, Britain Stronger in Europe, meanwhile, said that its campaign would also “continue to be suspended tomorrow”.

The murder of opposition Labor MP Cox on Thursday in her northern English constituency brought an abrupt halt to a bitter and divisive campaign over whether Britain should stay in or leave the European Union. (READ: British MP murder suspect ‘a loner’ with extremist views)

The suspension of campaigning for a third day leaves both sides with only 4 days to woo voters before referendum day on Thursday, when broadcasters are banned from carrying any political messages.

Many MPs are also likely to be unavailable for campaigning on Monday, when parliament is being recalled to allow colleagues to pay tribute to Cox.

Len McCluskey, the general secretary of Britain’s biggest trade union, Unite, had earlier cancelled a major speech in favour of the EU planned for Monday. – Rappler.com