'Death to traitors, freedom for Britain' says MP killer

'Death to traitors, freedom for Britain' says MP killer
Thomas Mair has been charged with murdering British MP Jo Cox and appears in court on Saturday.
2 min read
18 June, 2016
The 52-year-old is expected to stand in court later Saturday
The man arrested for shooting and stabbing British MP Jo Cox has been charged with her murder on Saturday.

Thomas Mair, 52 appeared in a London court on Saturday charged with a string of crimes that led to the murder of the British Labour MP on Thursday.

When asked his name in court, Mair replied: "My name is death to traitors, freedom for Britain."

A US civil rights organisation revealed that 52-year-old Mair, who made international headlines on Thursday after the attack was a "dedicated supporter" of a US-based neo-Nazi group had a "long history with white nationalism".

The unexpected attack forced British PM David Cameron to announce the suspension of Britain’s campaigning for an upcoming EU referendum to debate whether to leave the European Union.

Jo Cox, a 41-year-old member of the opposition Labour Party who was killed in broad daylight, was known for campaigning for refugee rights as well as to ‘remain’ in the EU.

She died in hospital after being shot and stabbed several times outside her West Yorkshire constituency surgery.

The MP for Batley and Spen "had a lifelong record of public service and a deep commitment to humanity", said Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn.

"Jo was dedicated to getting us to live up to our promises to support the developing world and strengthen human rights – and she brought those values and principles with her when she became an MP," Corbyn added. 

"Jo died doing her public duty at the heart of our democracy, listening to and representing the people she was elected to serve. It is a profoundly important cause for us all."