Man lands in court for killing MP JO COX
The man charged with the murder of Labour
MP Jo Cox has appeared in court and been
remanded in custody.
Thomas Mair gave his name as "Death to
traitors, freedom for Britain", when he
appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court.
Mrs Cox, 41, was shot and stabbed in Birstall,
West Yorkshire, on Thursday.
Members of her family visited the scene on
Saturday to read floral tributes and thank
gathered crowds for their support.
Speaking in the village's market square Kim
Leadbeater, Mrs Cox's sister, described the
MP as "perfect".
Ms Leadbeater said the tributes paid to her
sister had "genuinely made a difference" and
helped the family through some "dark times".
"I could not watch the overwhelming
outpouring of love without speaking on behalf
of Jo," she said.
"Jo would want us to focus on that which
unites us not which divides us. She will live
on through good people in the world."
Mrs Cox, who was married with two children,
was about to attend a constituency surgery
when she was killed.
A 77-year-old man, who came to her aid, was
also injured and remains in a stable condition
in hospital.
Mr Mair, 52, also faces charges of GBH,
possession of a firearm with intent to commit
an indictable offence and possession of an
offensive weapon, in relation to the attack on
Mrs Cox.
The defendant, who was wearing a grey
tracksuit, refused to give his correct name
and did not reply when asked to confirm his
address and date of birth in court earlier.
He is due to appear at the Old Bailey on
Monday.
Daniel Sandford, Home Affairs correspondent
- Westminster Magistrates' Court
The venue chosen for Thomas Mair's first
court appearance was the most important
magistrate's court in London. Deputy Chief
Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot was presiding.
Reporters from the broadcasters and Sunday
newspapers and from overseas packed the
press seats at the back.
As is almost always the case, the hearing was
brief, but it had a key moment of drama - the
moment the man in the dock was asked his
name.
He stood, as asked, for what is normally one
of the most mundane parts of the
proceedings. Not this time.
"My name is death to traitors, freedom for
Britain," he said.
Asked to repeat it, he said the same thing.
Then he fell silent until he was taken from
the dock and driven off to prison.
Vigils were held across the country on Friday
evening in memory of Mrs Cox. Earlier in the
day, David Cameron and Jeremy Corbyn
visited Mrs Cox's Batley and Spen
constituency.
The prime minister said the country was
"rightly shocked" by her death, while the
Labour leader described the former aid
worker as "an exceptional, wonderful, very
talented woman."
MP Jo Cox has appeared in court and been
remanded in custody.
Thomas Mair gave his name as "Death to
traitors, freedom for Britain", when he
appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court.
Mrs Cox, 41, was shot and stabbed in Birstall,
West Yorkshire, on Thursday.
Members of her family visited the scene on
Saturday to read floral tributes and thank
gathered crowds for their support.
Speaking in the village's market square Kim
Leadbeater, Mrs Cox's sister, described the
MP as "perfect".
Ms Leadbeater said the tributes paid to her
sister had "genuinely made a difference" and
helped the family through some "dark times".
"I could not watch the overwhelming
outpouring of love without speaking on behalf
of Jo," she said.
"Jo would want us to focus on that which
unites us not which divides us. She will live
on through good people in the world."
Mrs Cox, who was married with two children,
was about to attend a constituency surgery
when she was killed.
A 77-year-old man, who came to her aid, was
also injured and remains in a stable condition
in hospital.
Mr Mair, 52, also faces charges of GBH,
possession of a firearm with intent to commit
an indictable offence and possession of an
offensive weapon, in relation to the attack on
Mrs Cox.
The defendant, who was wearing a grey
tracksuit, refused to give his correct name
and did not reply when asked to confirm his
address and date of birth in court earlier.
He is due to appear at the Old Bailey on
Monday.
Daniel Sandford, Home Affairs correspondent
- Westminster Magistrates' Court
The venue chosen for Thomas Mair's first
court appearance was the most important
magistrate's court in London. Deputy Chief
Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot was presiding.
Reporters from the broadcasters and Sunday
newspapers and from overseas packed the
press seats at the back.
As is almost always the case, the hearing was
brief, but it had a key moment of drama - the
moment the man in the dock was asked his
name.
He stood, as asked, for what is normally one
of the most mundane parts of the
proceedings. Not this time.
"My name is death to traitors, freedom for
Britain," he said.
Asked to repeat it, he said the same thing.
Then he fell silent until he was taken from
the dock and driven off to prison.
Vigils were held across the country on Friday
evening in memory of Mrs Cox. Earlier in the
day, David Cameron and Jeremy Corbyn
visited Mrs Cox's Batley and Spen
constituency.
The prime minister said the country was
"rightly shocked" by her death, while the
Labour leader described the former aid
worker as "an exceptional, wonderful, very
talented woman."
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