Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Jo Cox’s brutal murder halts EU campaign

Britain is reeling from the murder of well-loved MP Jo Cox which has frozen campaigning at its frantic peak a week before the EU referendum.

The 41-year-old former aid worker and pro-EU campaigner known for her advocacy on behalf of Syrian refugees, was killed outside a library where she regularly met constituents in her home village of Birstall in west Yorkshire on Thursday. Witnesses told local media the petite mother of two had been repeatedly shot and stabbed. Both the Leave and Remain sides announced they would halt campaigning as a mark of respect, as commentators questioned whether the tone of the campaign had been divisive. The murder overshadowed a by-election victory by Cox’s Labour party in Tooting in the early hours of Friday.


“Given the horrific events of today and the shocking death of Jo Cox, I do not intend to make a speech,” the newly-elected MP Rosena Allin-Khan told the subdued counting centre.

“Jo’s death reminds us that our democracy is precious but fragile, we must never forget to cherish it.” Earlier, dozens had gathered outside the Houses of Parliament in a vigil to remember Cox attended by Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn, flanked by tearful party colleagues. “What’s happened is beyond appalling. We are here in silent memory of her loss,” Corbyn said as rain began to fall.

“She was a fearless campaigner, and a voice for the voiceless. We feel shaken,” said Fatima Ibrahim, 23, an activist with Avaaz. In the quaint streets of Birstall, the scene of the attack was cordoned off and police could be seen examining a shoe and a handbag. Mourners left flowers nearby in tribute.

Police said an investigation was under way to determine the motive for the murder, the first killing of an MP since Ian Gow died in a car bomb planted by the Irish Republican Army in 1990.

There were some indications that the man named by media as the attacker, 52-year-old Thomas Mair, may have had extreme right-wing leanings. ‘White nationalism’ -US advocacy group the Southern Poverty Law Center reported that Mair was a “dedicated supporter” of National Alliance, once the primary neo-Nazi organisation in the United States.

It said Mair had spent over £434 on reading material from the group, which advocated the creation of an all-white homeland and the eradication of Jewish people. “Neighbours called him a “loner,” but he also has a long history with white nationalism,” the Southern Poverty Law Center said.

It added that Mair had purchased a handbook with instructions on how to make a gun, noting that witnesses told British media the assailant used a gun of “old-fashioned” or “homemade” appearance.

One witness of the attack, cafe owner Clarke Rothwell, told the Press Association that the gunman had shouted “put Britain first” repeatedly during the attack. Britain First- far-right anti-immigration group, released a statement saying it was “obviously not involved” and “would never encourage behaviour of this sort”.

Mair’s brother, Scott Mair, told the Daily Telegraph that Thomas “is not violent and is not all that political”. “He has a history of mental illness, but he has had help,” Scott Mair said. The newspaper also reported that Thomas Mair had been a subscriber to a magazine published by a South African pro-apartheid group.

In the wake of the attack, commentators questioned whether the tone of the EU referendum campaign had stirred up ugly currents. Alex Massie noted in the Spectator magazine that the day had begun with the unveiling of an anti-EU poster featuring a queue of migrants and refugees and the words “Breaking point”.

“The message was not very subtle: Vote Leave, Britain, or be overrun by brown people,” Massie wrote. “When you present politics as a matter of life and death, as a question of national survival, don’t be surprised if someone takes you at your word.”

Before the suspension of the campaign, polls had indicated the result of the referendum could be on a knife-edge following an uptick in support for the pro-Leave side.

Cox, whose first speech in parliament defended immigration and diversity, lived with her husband Brendan and their two children aged three and five, on a house boat on London’s river Thames.

As the news of her death broke, Brendan issued a an impassioned appeal for unity against hatred. “She would have wanted two things above all else to happen now,” he wrote.

“One, that our precious children are bathed in love and two, that we all unite to fight against the hatred that killed her.”

More For You

Southport

Floral tributes left by members of the public are seen following the fatal knife attack on three young girls in July in Southport.

Reuters

Public inquiry begins into Southport girls' murders

A PUBLIC inquiry begins on Tuesday into the murders of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport last year.

The inquiry will examine whether the attack could have been prevented and how future incidents might be avoided.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Getty

Starmer is facing a Labour backbench revolt over plans to reform special needs support in schools without guaranteeing existing legal rights. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images)

Starmer faces Labour pushback over SEND reform plans

KEIR STARMER is facing a backlash from Labour MPs over plans to reform special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, after ministers stopped short of guaranteeing legal rights for parents.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the government was committed to reforming the current system, which costs £12 billion a year. However, she did not confirm if legally enforceable rights, such as those provided by education, health and care plans (EHCPs), would remain.

Keep ReadingShow less
Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week

iStock

Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London before 30°C heatwave

Key points

  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms drench London at the start of the week
  • Temperatures set to rise with highs of 31°C expected by Thursday
  • Heatwave could be declared by Friday if warm conditions persist
  • Night-time temperatures to remain high, increasing discomfort
  • UV and pollen levels forecast to be very high across the south

Thunderstorms soak London before summer heat returns

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week as heavy rain and overnight thunderstorms swept through the capital. Monday morning saw widespread downpours, leaving commuters reaching for umbrellas and Wimbledon ticket hopefuls queuing in ponchos.

The unsettled conditions followed a burst of thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon and continued into the early hours of Monday, prompting caution across the city. The Met Office has not issued a formal weather warning for thunderstorms, but conditions remain unstable.

Keep ReadingShow less
National Trust sets vision to heal
nature and engage more Asians

Lisa Nandy, Steve Reed, René Olivieri and Hilary McGrady at a National Trust event marking its 130th anniversary

National Trust sets vision to heal nature and engage more Asians

THE National Trust, which is seeking to broaden its appeal to British Asians, is marking its 130th anniversary with a renewed commitment to restoring nature and widening access under a 10-year strategy.

Its director-general, Hilary McGrady, also aims to inspire more people to get involved in caring for the country’s natural resources.

Keep ReadingShow less
 7/7 bombings

The King said the public should draw on the 'extraordinary courage and compassion' shown in response to the attacks. (Photo credit: X/@RoyalFamily)

Starmer and King Charles pay tribute on 20th anniversary of 7/7 bombings

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer and King Charles on Monday paid tribute to the unity shown in the aftermath of the 7 July bombings in London, as the country marked 20 years since the attacks.

On 7 July 2005, four Islamist extremists carried out suicide bombings at Aldgate Station, Edgware Road, King's Cross and Tavistock Square. The attacks killed 52 people and injured hundreds more.

Keep ReadingShow less