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Candles surround a photo of Labour MP Jo Cox at a memorial.
THE accused killer of British MP Jo Cox has given his name as “Death to traitors, freedom for Britain†in his first court appearance.
Thomas Mair, 52, made his defiant statement on Saturday in Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London.
The unemployed gardener, who was wearing a grey tracksuit in court, stayed silent in court except when asked to confirm his name.
He has been charged with murder, inflicting grievous harm, possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and possession of an offensive weapon.
Ms Cox, 41, was shot and stabbed at lunchtime on Thursday as she headed to a meeting with constituents in Birstall, near Leeds. The killing has brought Britain’s European Union referendum campaigning to a halt.
The police van carrying Thomas Mair arrives at Westminster Magistrates Court.Source:Getty Images
Her assistant Fazila Aswat, who had just dropped her off outside her constituency surgery, has revealed how rushed to the fallen MP and begged her to get up, but she replied: “I can’t make it, I’m in too much pain.â€
Ms Cox, a mother of two, was an advocate for keeping Britain inside the EU and had argued for better treatment of Syrian refugee children.
Vigils have been held across the country in her memory and Parliament has been recalled on Monday to honour her.
On Friday, Prime Minister David Cameron joined Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in laying flowers in Birstall.
“It is a vile act that has killed her,†Corbyn said.
Thomas Mair has been charged with murdering the mother of two.Source:Supplied
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.
A fund set up in her honour had raised more than $A272,055 for charities she supported in six hours.
Labour Party MP and former Party leader Ed Miliband joins members of the public as they gather for two-minutes silence and a vigil in remembrance of slain Labour MP Jo Cox in Parliament Square.Source:AFP
Police have praised the bravery of an elderly man who tried to aid Ms Cox and was seriously injured. The man is recovering in hospital.
The attack has raised security concerns for other members of Parliament who routinely meet with constituents in public meetings.