The Labour Shadow Home Secretary attempted to dodge questions over her party’s representatives’ use of language as she blasted Prime Minister Boris Johnson for his Commons’ performance on Wednesday evening. Ms Abbott was repeatedly asked to address the Labour Party’s “abusive” language after Jo Cox’s husband, Brandon Cox, called for all parties to “turn down” their aggressive rhetoric. But as she failed to accept her party’s responsibility, BBC host Justin Webb blasted: “The point Brandon Cox was trying to make is that the language that is used sometimes about this Government and certainly in our politics recently – I think about a few years ago John McDonnell talked about MPs on the other side being a ‘stain on humanity’ – that all of that needs now to be turned down.

“I’m just trying to get you to accept or maybe not accept that that does apply to your side too.”

At last, Ms Abbott responded: “I think you’ll find that Jeremy Corbyn has never used that type of violence.”

But unhappy with the response, Mr Webb hit back again: “No, but his supporters do and you know perfectly well they do.

“The use absolutely disgusting language.

I’ve had in the run up to the 2017 election more abuse and more death threats than any other woman MP put together

Diane Abbott

“You say Jeremy Corbyn hasn’t, and I’m not for a minute saying that he has.

“But absolutely his supporters do and I’ve mentioned Luciana Berger but there are other MPs and former Labour MPs who have been the subjects of really nasty vitriolic abuse.

“And women who have been subject to appalling abuse themselves.”

The Labour MP replied: “With respect, I’ve had in the run-up to the 2017 election more abuse and more death threats than any other woman MP put together so you don’t need to tell me about threats to women.

“All I’m saying is that whatever you see online, that’s not directed by the leadership of the Labour Party.

“And you cannot equate criticism, however strong, with threats of violence and threats of rape.”

Jo Cox’s widower said he felt “sick” after Boris Johnson claimed the best way to honour his murdered wife would be to “get Brexit done”.

The extraordinary claim from Prime Minister evoked gasps from both sides of the House of Commons.

It came after Labour MP Paula Sherriff made an impassioned plea to the Prime Minister not to use the term “Surrender Act” to describe legislation designed to prevent ministers forcing through a no deal Brexit on October 31. 

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She claimed Mr Johnson should be “ashamed” to use such language after the murder of her colleague and in light of regular death threats and abuse received by MPs.

Mr Johnson claimed he had “never heard such humbug in all his life”, claiming the best way to honour Ms Cox would be to get Brexit done.

Ms Cox’s husband, Brendan Cox, wrote on Twitter: “Feel a bit sick at Jo’s name being used in this way.

“The best way to honour Jo is for all of us (no matter our views) to stand up for what we believe in, passionately and with determination.

“But never to demonise the other side and always hold onto what we have in common.”

Ms Cox was shot and stabbed by far-right extremist Thomas Mair in her Yorkshire constituency in 2016 during the EU referendum campaign.

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