“It was an attack on us all. We stand in solidarity with France” – senior Labour figures pay tribute to victims of the Nice attack

Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the Labour Party, (in a letter to France’s ambassador to Britain):

“I have no doubt that the attack during celebrations for Bastille Day, which commemorates the French Revolution and honours the principles of liberté, égalité, fraternité, will only redouble the commitment of the French people to these universal ideals.

“Those killed yesterday will doubtless have been of different religions, ethnicities and nationalities. It was an attack on us all, attempting to set people against each other. That is why instead, we stand together, now and always, in defense of tolerance, peace and justice.

“Today and in the coming weeks and months, we and others across the globe, stand in solidarity with you and the people of France.

Sadiq Khan, mayor of London:

“What’s really important is that we send a message to the people of Nice, and the people of France, who have suffered yet again. We saw what happened in Paris last November, we saw what happened recently in Paris earlier last year, and we’ve seen again what happened last night.

“My message to the people of Nice is that we stand shoulder to shoulder with you. This poisonous and evil ideology cannot be allowed to succeed, we will not allow them to succeed.

“There are lots of Londoners of French origin. There are Londoners who have got friends and family in France. We’ve got to think about them. And clearly all of London will be thinking about the people of Nice today.”

He added: “I will reassure all Londoners that today we will be reviewing our own safety measures in light of this attack and that I and the Metropolitan Police Commissioner will do everything possible to keep Londoners safe.”

Kezia Dugdale, leader of Scottish Labour:

“The people of France have suffered devastation and loss in recent years that no nation should have to go through. Once again the thoughts and prayers of everybody in Scottish Labour and across the country are with the people of France.

“The video of terrified children and their parents running from danger are haunting. It’s an image that will live with me for the rest of my life. To see such innocence destroyed by someone who is driven by hatred and bigotry is heart-breaking.

“We cannot give in to terror. We cannot cede an inch to those who seek to change our way of life through violence, intolerance and hatred. Difficult though it may be in the immediate aftermath of such a horrific attack, we must resolve to never give in to the terrorists by rejecting the values underpinning our democracy. Only by staying true to who we are – a tolerant, free society – can we hope to defeat those who wish to do us harm.”