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Man jailed for life for murdering British MP Jo Cox

Jo Cox was attacked near her constituency surgery in June
Jo Cox was attacked near her constituency surgery in June

A man obsessed with Nazi Germany and far-right politics has been found guilty of murdering British Labour MP Jo Cox earlier this year.

An Old Bailey jury took just over 90 minutes to convict 53-year-old Thomas Mair of what was described in court as an act of "sheer brutality and cowardice".

Mair murdered the mother-of-two and Remain campaigner as she arrived for a constituency surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire on 16 June, a week before the EU referendum.

He shouted "Britain first" as he fired three shots at the MP and stabbed her 15 times.

Thomas Mair

He gave no reaction as he was convicted on all counts.

The MP's family sat in silence in the packed courtroom as the verdicts were delivered.

The attack shocked Britain and brought a temporary halt to campaigning ahead of UK referendum on European Union membership.

An investigation of Mair's use of library computers exposed his interest in far right, anti-Semitic and neo-Nazi politics in Britain and abroad.

Two days after the killing, Mair was brought before Westminster magistrates under the terrorism protocol.

When asked to confirm his name, the defendant, described by neighbours as a shy loner, said: "Death to traitors, freedom for Britain".

He has refused to answer to the charges against him and not guilty pleas were entered on his behalf to murder, grievous bodily harm to 78-year-old Bernard Kenny, who tried to intervene, and possession of the gun and dagger.

Having opted not to give evidence in the trial or put forward any positive defence, he was found guilty on all the charges.

The court imposed a whole life sentence due to the exceptional seriousness of the crime.

Ms Cox's family hugged and shook hands with prosecutor Richard Whittam QC as they left court.

Sue Hemming, head of special crime and counter-terrorism at the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Mair has offered no explanation for his actions but the prosecution was able to demonstrate that, motivated by hate, his pre-meditated crimes were nothing less than acts of terrorism designed to advance his twisted ideology.

"The CPS worked closely with police from the outset of their thorough investigation to build a strong case. This included the evidence of a number of brave eyewitnesses, who are to be commended. A jury has now unanimously agreed on Mair's guilt of all offences committed during this disturbing attack.

"Our thoughts are with Jo Cox's family, who attended the court hearing and have behaved with real strength and dignity throughout. The CPS will continue to work with criminal justice partners to combat those who seek to sow hatred and division by advancing extremist ideologies."

Ms Cox's husband Brendan said the "sheer cowardice and hatred" of her murderer does not represent "anything in our country".

Mr Cox said there was a "contrast between the bravery of Jo" and "the cowardice of a man who attacks a 5ft woman" and then is "too scared to take to the dock".

The interview was pre-recorded before the verdict and was released after the guilty verdict.

Mr Cox said: "I think for me there is a contrast there between the bravery of Jo - what she stood for, what she fought for, and in her final moments asking her friends who were trying to help her to get away so that they wouldn't get hurt..."

Asked what he would tell their two children about their mother, he told the BBC: "I will tell them that she was an amazing woman who was very widely loved and respected, that she fought for her values and her beliefs and that she died for them.

"That she loved them, first and foremost, and that she was funny and fun and adventurous."

Mr Cox said: "I have some pity that his [Mair's] life was devoid of love and so consumed with hatred that he thought this was an OK thing to do".

"But I have no interest in how he feels or how he thinks. He said, I think, at the time, that he did what he did for Britain and I think that Britain would be ashamed of him.

"And I think Britain is very proud of Jo and I would like everybody to know that."

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