Pembroke College released a statement in response to the death of Labour MP Jo Cox, who was killed in a shooting attack which took place in Birstall in her West Yorkshire constituency.

Cox, the first sitting MP to be killed since 1990, studied Archaeology and Anthropology and the Social and Political Sciences (now both part of the HSPS Tripos) between 1993 and 1995. 

In that time, according to the college’s statement, which was released on Thursday, she “thoroughly embraced College life and was an energetic and respected member of the Junior Parlour (JCR)”.

Before standing for Parliament for the constituency of Batley and Spen in the 2015 General Election, Cox undertook a master's degree at the London School of Economics, after which she worked for Oxfam as Head of Policy and advised Glennys Kinnock and then Sarah Brown.

She was also national chair of the Labour Women’s Network and a senior advisor to the anti-slavery charity Freedom Fund.

Lord Smith of Finsbury, Master of Pembroke College, stated: “This is the most tragic and terrible news. Pembroke College was enormously proud of Jo, who had already achieved so much in her work for Oxfam and the Freedom Fund, and especially in just over a year in Parliament.”

He added: “Our hearts go out to her family, her friends and colleagues, and we grieve for someone with so much promise who has been cruelly taken from us all.”