Suspect arrested in killing of Labour MP Jo Cox identified as Tommy Mair – reports

The man arrested over the assassination of Labour MP Jo Cox has been named by locals as Tommy Mair, according to reports in the British press.

West Yorkshire Police say Cox was attacked just before 1 pm on Market Street by a man carrying a number of weapons, including a firearm. 

A mother-of-two, the MP for Batley and Spen was shot and stabbed on Thursday after coming out of a constituency meeting in the village of Birstall in West Yorkshire.

She was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary, but died less than an hour later.

A 77-year-old man was also injured in the aftermath of the attack, but his condition is being described as “non-life-threatening.”

The man arrested in connection with killing has been named as Tommy Mair, a 52-year-old “loner,” according to Sky News reporters.

Eyewitnesses to the attack told Batley & Birstall News how at one point the gunman was tackled to the floor but managed to fire off at least two shots.

Images purportedly of the arrest show two uniformed officers pinning a man to the ground in a residential area.

West Yorkshire Police said in a statement that they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the crime.

“This is a very significant investigation with a large number of witnesses that are being spoken to by the police at this time. There is a large and significant crime scene and there is a large police presence in the area. A full investigation is underway to establish the motive for this murder,” the statement read.