British MP Jo Cox’s murderer rants about traitors in court

Cox, 41, died after being shot and stabbed in the street outside a public library where she was meeting with her constituents in Birstall, West Yorkshire.

The man charged with shooting and stabbing to death a rising star of British politics gave his name Saturday as “death to traitors, freedom for Britain” during his first court appearance since the killing stunned this nation on Thursday.

He was remanded in custody until his next appearance on Monday at the higher Old Bailey court in London, England’s central criminal court, and a psychiatric report has been requested.

Cox’s Yorkshire constituency “will go on to elect a new MP, but no one can replace a mother”, said Rachel Reeves, a Labour colleague from Leeds, as she broke down in the chamber.

Her death shocked the whole country, and the campaign for Britain’s European Union referendum have been suspended over the weekend. He has been charged with her murder and appeared in court on Monday via video link from Belmarsh prison.

It is not clear what, if any, impact the killing of Cox may have on the referendum vote, which is expected by many observers to be close.

Both the leave and remain sides halted their campaigns until Saturday after her assassination. His attorney said there was still no indication about which plea he would enter.

Her husband Brendan and family members watched from the gallery as the packed chamber praised the achievements of Cox who would have celebrated her 42nd birthday on Wednesday.

Mr Knight also remembered the bravery of pensioner Bernard Kenny, 77, who remains in hospital after he was injured as he came to Mrs Cox’s aid.

Several legislators choked back tears as they spoke, and many recalled Cox’s words in her first Commons speech: “We are far more united and have far more in common with each other than things that divide us”.

Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday urged people to unite against hatred as Britain’s parliament held a tearful special session to honour murdered lawmaker Jo Cox.

“Jo understood that rhetoric has consequences, when insecurity, fear and anger are used to light a fuse then an explosion is inevitable”, Stephen Kinnock, who shared an office with Cox in the House of Commons, told lawmakers.

Tributes and candles for murdered Labour MP Jo Cox at Parliament Square in London on Friday.

In other developments surrounding the case, a GoFundMe page set up to benefit charities she supported has raised more than £335,000 ($481,127) in just under a day.