The death has been announced this evening of Bernard Kenny, a 79-year-old man who was awarded a George Medal by The Queen after being stabbed while trying to protect murdered MP Jo Cox.
On 16th June 2016, the former miner gave no thought for his own life after he tried to protect the MP from a far-right terrorist who assassinated her in broad daylight.
Mr Kenny was stabbed in the chest as he intervened and had been praised as a hero for his actions.
Jo Cox was killed by Thomas Mair in 2016 after he stabbed her fifteen times and shot her a further three times. Mrs Cox was killed in the street as she was about to attend a constituency surgery.
Following the attack, almost 100,000 people signed an online petition calling for Mr Kenny to be awarded the George Cross for his bravery.
A few months later Mr Kenny’s name appeared in The Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Mr Kenny, who shared the same birthday as Jo Cox, said at the time: “I am honoured to receive such an award.”
Tracey Brabin MP, who replaced Mrs Cox as Member of Parliament for Batley and Spen, said Mr Kenny was “brave and selfless”.
The Queen’s Birthday Honours, which is one of the two annual honours lists released (the other at New Year’s) in which individuals who have contributed to public life, in one way or another, are honoured for their service.
Honours can range from knighthoods to the recently-reintroduced British Empire Medal, given for contributions on a more local level such as for services to charity or fundraising.
Also included in the honours list was PC Keith Palmer, who was posthumously awarded a George Medal which recognises actions that “saved lives” in the terror attack which took place a few months ago.
PC Palmer was stabbed as he guarded the Houses of Parliament after a terrorist ran over pedestrians on Westminster bridge.
Among the famous faces to be recognised were Billy Connolly, Julie Walters and June Whitfield.
RIP to a true hero!