Hertsmere's MP has said he was "deeply shocked" in the aftermath of Labour MP Jo Cox’s murder earlier this year but still believes he needs to be accessible to his constituents.

The Labour MP and mother of two, 41, was attacked in her Batley and Spen constituency in West Yorkshire as she headed to a constituency surgery in June.

She was shot and stabbed repeatedly by 53-year-old Thomas Mair, who was handed a whole life sentence last month due to the “exceptional seriousness” of his crimes, which the judge described as an “act of terror”.

Mr Dowden said: "Like everyone in the House of Commons, I was deeply shocked by Jo Cox’s murder and I am glad that justice has now been done for her family.

"As an MP, it is a key part of my role to be accessible to all of my constituents. For this reason, I decided to go ahead with an open surgery in Potters Bar I had scheduled for the day following Jo Cox’s death and I continue to hold them regularly around Hertsmere.

"However, in common with most MPs I seek to limit security risks in liaison with local police."