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Weekly lands national scoop on murdered MP’s sister running for old seat

A new editor landed a national scoop for a local weekly after revealing a murdered MP’s sister is set to stand for election in her old seat.

Dominic Brown, editor of the Batley & Birstall News, exclusively revealed Kim Leadbeater intends to stand as the Labour candidate in the forthcoming by-election in Batley and Spen, formerly served by Jo Cox.

Labour MP Mrs Cox was assassinated a week before the 2016 EU referendum by far-right terrorist Thomas Mair, and the seat has since been held by Tracy Brabin.

But Ms Brabin has now decided to stand down after being elected Mayor of West Yorkshire, triggering the by-election.

The exclusive was revealed by the News on Thursday's front page

The exclusive was revealed by the News on Thursday’s front page

Dominic, who took over at the News a few weeks ago, told HTFP: “Kim set up the Jo Cox Foundation and has built an amazing legacy to her sister.

“Though the foundation has a national profile it’s based in the heart of Batley and Kim, born and brought up locally and proud of her roots, wanted her hometown paper to have the news first.

“We’re honoured that Kim chose her local paper to reveal the news of her candidacy, and worked closely with her team throughout the day.

“Our reporter Martin Shaw did a fantastic job writing the story, and a special mention to Stuart Chandler in the design hub for his help with a late rejig of the front page to allow us to accommodate it. A great team effort.”

Batley-born freelance Martin started his career as a trainee at the News as a teenager in 1986 and began his latest spell with the JPIMedia-owned title since September.

He said: “My career has come full circle and it’s great to have played a part in breaking this story.

“Dom and I are a small team but we punch above our weight.

“Much has changed in newspapers and journalism but there’s no substitute for local knowledge, passion for your town and contacts.”

Martin went on to say he was “looking forward” to covering another election campaign in Batley.

He added: “My first Parliamentary election campaign in Batley was in 1987 when I followed the former Chancellor Denis Healey around Batley Market,” he recalled.

“Denis was still a big beast in politics at the time and it was really exciting for a young wet-behind-the-ears reporter.

“Denis bought a jar of jam on the market and let them keep the change.

“The editor headlined my story about Labour promising ‘jam tomorrow’ a political reference that I must admit went over my head at the time.”