In his first appearance in court since he executed British refugee advocate and Labour MP Joanne Cox, Thomas Mair gave his name as “death to traitors, long live Britain” on Saturday morning.
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Cox was attacked with a knife and a firearm on Thursday outside her constituency surgery in the village of Birstall, northern England.
Police called the findings a “priority line of enquiry which will help us establish the motive for the attack on Jo”.
British lawmaker Jo Cox’s alleged killer ranted against “traitors” during a brief court appearance on Saturday, as European Union referendum campaigning was suspended for a third day in tribute to the slain MP.
“The campaign will continue to suspend all its planned national campaign events, street stalls, and rallies tomorrow as a mark of respect for the tragic murder of Jo Cox”, Will Straw, executive director of pro-Remain Britain Stronger in Europe, said in a statement.
Police said in a statement that the incident “appears to be an isolated, but targeted attack”.
Mair may have had an interest in white supremacist groups, according to the US -based Southern Poverty Law Center which published what it says are documents showing his history of purchasing material from the National Alliance white supremacist organization. Mair was also reported to subscribe to S.A. Patriot, a white supremacist publication founded in South Africa.
“We will be joining together in a gesture of solidarity and love for Jo’s family and for the Labour family, and to remember the importance of fighting hatred and violence in our own communities and across the globe”. He made no further comment in the 15-minute hearing, which was his first public appearance since his arrest in Birstall, a town in Yorkshire.
Mair reportedly spent more than $620 on books and literature from NA, including guides titled “Improvised Munitions Handbook”, “Chemistry of Powder & Explosives”, and “Incendiaries”, according to receipts published by SPLC. She didn’t believe he had a regular job and saw him around at odd hours.
In a nation with tightly controlled gun laws and few homicides linked to weapons, Cox’s attack was especially jarring.
West Yorkshire Police said friends and family of Mrs Cox are to visit Birstall later.
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”.
Mr Cameron has agreed to recall parliament on Monday to allow MPs to pay tributes to the popular MP, who was only elected in 2015.
Streeting added: “What we can all do here today is pledge ourselves in any way that we can to make the world that Jo was fighting for”.
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Mourners turned out in support as Mrs Cox’s sister Kim Leadbeater read an emotional tribute to her sister.
