Thomas Mair, 52, was detained on Thursday by police after the shooting and stabbing of Cox in Birstall, West Yorkshire.
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West Yorkshire Police had charged Mair overnight with murder, inflicting grievous bodily harm, possession of a firearm with intent to commit a crime, and other gun charges. He was also found to have links with some white racist group.
The vigils followed a joint visit to her home town by David Cameron and Jeremy Corbyn, where the Prime Minister issued a plea for tolerance in British politics.
Obama made a phone call to Brendan Cox on Friday from Air Force One, the White House said. Photo: West Yorkshire SWNS.
Witnesses say Mair yelled “Britain First” as he attacked Cox, a possible reference to a far-right political party.
“We are aware of the speculation within the media in respect of the suspect’s link to mental health services and this is a clear line of enquiry which we are pursuing”, an official said.
Leaders across Europe and the world have expressed shock at the killing of Cox, a Cambridge University graduate and former charity worker whose job took her to countries such as Afghanistan and Darfur. Her death has shaken the country, where gun control is strict and gun violence is rare.
On its website, the center published copies of receipts from 1999 to 2003 showing that Mair ordered survivalist weapons guides and other extremist materials from the National Alliance.
Accused British assassin Thomas Mair bought books from an American neo-Nazi group, records showed..
Few said they could believe the man they described as a reclusive gardener was capable of attacking anyone.
“He has a history of mental illness but he has had help”, his brother, Scott Mair, said. “I don’t even know who he votes for”.
Mrs Cox (41) died after being shot and stabbed in the street outside her constituency surgery in Birstall, near Leeds, on Thursday. Anti-EU campaigners have argued that leaving the EU would allow Britain to curtail immigration. It has condemned Cox’s killing.
Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have announced that they will not contest the by-election resulting from her death, giving Labour a probable free run at retaining the Westminster seat which she won with a majority of 6,057.
Campaigning in the European Union referendum has been suspended on both sides and MPs have been recalled from their Parliamentary recess to attend a memorial to Mrs Cox in the House of Commons on Monday. She said, “Jo, get up”, but she said, “No, my pain is too much, Fazila”.
“I woke up this morning and just wanted to find it hadn’t happened”.
She was the first British MP to be murdered since Ian Gow was killed by Irish Republican Army paramilitaries in a vehicle bomb in 1990.
Cameron’s office said a reminder of safety guidance has been sent to members of Parliament, suggesting they go to local police if they have concerns.
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Since 2000, two lawmakers have been attacked and wounded while meeting with constituents.
