icon bookmark-bicon bookmarkicon cameraicon checkicon chevron downicon chevron lefticon chevron righticon chevron upicon closeicon v-compressicon downloadicon editicon v-expandicon fbicon fileicon filtericon flag ruicon full chevron downicon full chevron lefticon full chevron righticon full chevron upicon gpicon insicon mailicon moveicon-musicicon mutedicon nomutedicon okicon v-pauseicon v-playicon searchicon shareicon sign inicon sign upicon stepbackicon stepforicon swipe downicon tagicon tagsicon tgicon trashicon twicon vkicon yticon wticon fm
20 Jun, 2016 15:44

'Attack on our democracy': MPs honor Jo Cox in special parliament session

'Attack on our democracy': MPs honor Jo Cox in special parliament session

Members of the UK Parliament returned to Westminster for a special session Monday afternoon to pay tribute to assassinated Labour MP Jo Cox, placing red and white roses on her seat.

Party leaders united with speeches in memory of the MP for Batley and Spen, with John Bercow, Speaker of House of Commons opening the tributes, commemorating Cox for her “outstanding qualities.”

Parliament had been in recess to allow members to campaign for the Brexit referendum, but they collectively put things on hold for two days after her murder.

Campaigning resumed Sunday, just in time for the TV morning chat shows and schedule speeches.

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn lead Monday's tributes, telling the House: “She spent her life serving and campaigning for other people.”

“We must be aware her killing is an attack on our democracy, it is an attack on our whole democracy,” he added. “In her tragic death, we can come together, to change our politics, to tolerate a little more and condemn a little less.”

Prime Minister David Cameron said Cox “brought out the best in people” and remembered her aid work in Africa and support for refugees.

“Quite simply there are people around the world who are only alive because of Jo,” he said.

MPs had planned to sit together regardless of party affiliation as a sign of unity before moving on to St Margaret’s Church for a short memorial service, but normal seating arrangements were maintained, according to the BBC.

Thomas Mair, a Neo-Nazi-linked 52 year old from West Yorkshire, allegedly yelled “Britain First” as he shot, stabbed, and reportedly dragged the 41-year-old mother along the ground by her hair. He has been charged with her murder and appeared in court on Monday via video link from Belmarsh prison.

The act of terrorism outside a library in Birstall prompted an outpouring of public grief by communities from all walks of life.

Appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, Mair gave his name as “death to traitors, freedom for Britain” and was charged with murder, grievous bodily harm, and possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offense.

READ MORE: Jo Cox murder accused Thomas Mair gives name as ‘death to traitors, freedom for Britain’ in court

Podcasts
0:00
23:13
0:00
25:0