Man accused of killing British MP Jo Cox gives his name as 'Death to traitors, freedom for Britain' as he appears in court

The suspect accused of killing Labour MP Jo Cox appeared in the court this morning charged with her murder and gave his name in the dock as 'Death to traitors, freedom for Britain'. 

Thomas Mair, 52, made his first court appearance following the death of the mother of two as
she headed to a meeting with constituents in Market Street, Birstall.

He was in court to face charges of murder, grievous bodily harm, possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and possession of an offensive weapon.

Mair, an unemployed gardener, was photographed arriving at Westminster Magistrates' Court in a police van this morning.

Mrs Cox, 41, was shot and stabbed at lunchtime on Thursday and her assistant Fazila Aswat, who had just dropped her off outside her constituency surgery, has since revealed how she begged her to get up, but she replied: 'I can't make it, I'm in too much pain.'

She was taken to hospital and declared dead at 1.48pm.

The MP - who was elected to represent Batley and Spen last year - leaves behind her husband Brendan and two young children. - Daily mail