Jo Cox: Thomas Mair appears in court over murder of British MP
Updated about 2 hours agoSun 19 Jun 2016, 6:49am
Photo: The sister of murdered British MP Jo Cox speaks at a memorial in Birstall, northern England. (Oli Scarff / AFP)
Related Story: Suspect charged with murdering British MP Jo Cox
Map: United Kingdom
The man accused of shooting and stabbing British MP Jo Cox to death in a brutal street attack ranted against "traitors" during a brief court appearance on Saturday.
"Death to traitors, freedom for Britain," 52-year-old Thomas Mair said when asked to give his name in Westminster Magistrates' Court in London, the Press Association reported.
Mair, who was handcuffed and wearing a grey tracksuit, then remained silent when asked to provide his date of birth and address, the reports said.
He was remanded in custody until his next appearance at London's Old Bailey central criminal court on Monday and a psychiatric report has been requested.
He has been
charged by police with murder, causing grievous bodily harm, and possession of a firearm and another offensive weapon.
Who was Jo Cox?
The 41-year-old is being remembered as an activist for refugees who had worked as Oxfam's head of policy prior to her arrival in Parliament last year.
A member of the opposition Labour Party and former aid worker, Mrs Cox was an advocate for refugee rights and immigration and was campaigning for Britain to stay in the European Union.
She was
shot and stabbed in the street in what police called a "targeted" daylight attack on Thursday in her constituency in northern England as she was arriving for a meeting with local residents.
Although the motive is undetermined, some politicians and commentators have pointed to the heated referendum debate, where sensitive issues like national identity and immigration have featured prominently.
Prime Minister David Cameron and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on Friday brought bouquets to a floral tribute near the scene of the attack in Birstall in Yorkshire.
Mr Cameron spoke out for "tolerance" and against "hatred" in British politics, saying the country was "rightly shocked" at the killing.
Mrs Cox's family also spoke out as they visited her memorial, saying the outpouring of support has made a difference.
"We want to say a most sincere and heartfelt thank you to everyone who's expressed their love and affection for Jo. And sent their thoughts and sympathy to us," said her sister Kim Leadbeater.
"For now, our family is broken. But we will mend over time. And we will never let Jo leave our lives. She will live on through all the good people in the world."
Attack brings campaigning to standstill
The murder, the first of a British member of parliament since 1990, has sent shockwaves around the world.
Photo: The beloved MP was shot and stabbed in her own electorate near Leeds, England. (Twitter: Jo Cox MP)
British MPs have also been recalled to Parliament, which was in recess ahead of the referendum, for a special tribute to Mrs Cox on Monday.
US President Barack Obama on Friday phoned Mrs Cox's husband Brendan to offer condolences.
"The President noted that the world is a better place because of her selfless service to others, and that there can be no justification for this heinous crime," the White House said in a statement.
A 77-year-old man who intervened to try to protect Mrs Cox remains in hospital in a stable condition after suffering a serious injury to his abdomen.
The attack has brought campaigning for next week's referendum on European Union membership to a standstill, ahead of the vote on June 23.
ABC/Wires
Dave R.
