UK election candidate for Jo Cox seat blames 'tiring day' for gaffe

Election candidate Ann Myatt has blamed a "tiring day" for telling an election event: "We've not yet shot anybody so that's wonderful". Photo/ Mail Online video

A UK Conservative candidate contesting murdered MP Jo Cox's former seat has blamed a "tiring day" for telling an election event: "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 Cox, visibly shocked and members of the audience gasping and groaning.

Mother-of-two Cox, 41, was shot and stabbed by neo-Nazi Thomas Mair in her Batley and Spen constituency just days before last year's EU referendum.

"I wholeheartedly apologise for my ill-judged remarks at the hustings and for any offence they caused," Myatt said in a statement. "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 Myatt addressing 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 co-ordinator Andrew Gwynne said: "These remarks are appalling. That they come from the Conservative candidate beggars belief".

He said Conservative leader Theresa May's campaign should also "immediately apologise".

Former Coronation Street star Brabin is seeking re-election after replacing Cox following a byelection last year.

Brabin's maiden speech in the House of Commons was applauded by MPs after she paid tribute to her friend and "inspiration" Cox.

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".

PA, AAP