Talking to the Guardian this week, the Rother Valley MP said he has been touched by the countless messages from people all over the country expressing their sympathy and sadness at the untimely death of Carol.

"I would just like to thank everyone," said Mr Barron. "It has helped a little bit. Last Saturday would have been our 39th wedding anniversary."

"We got married in St Bartholomew's Church where the funeral was held."

"We are all very shaken by it – it came so suddenly. We are a very strong family and I know that we will stick together."

"This is just something which we have to get through. It happens to someone every day of the week."

"The children and grandchildren have held up very well."

"Two of the grandchildren spoke at the service and I was immensely proud of them and I know Carol would have been as well."

And Mr Barron says he has received some happy news during a very sad time, as his son Robbie became a father to baby Ted, who was born a day before the funeral.

"We have another grandson in the family now which I know Carol would have loved," he said.

Mr Barron has not yet returned to work and will not be carrying out his usual Saturday surgeries until 28th June.

"I will start back with the Select Committee in a few weeks," he said.

"I have cancelled quite a lot of my diary because I had quite a lot of speeches to do."

"But work helps take my mind off it and other people's problems don't go away so they have to be dealt with."

"I don't know what I will be doing immediately but I will be getting back to work when I can."