On the 16th June, MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed in Birstall and died the next day. 52 year old Thomas Mair was charged with murder by the Westminster Magistrates Court.
Today, hundreds flooded the streets to pay their respects and threw flowers as the private funeral service drove through Heckmondwike and Batley.
The funeral was held in her West Yorkshire constituency, with her close family and friends in attendance. The flag at Batley Town Hall was flown at half-mast out of respect.
In a statement from earlier this week, family members said, “Knowing that so many people share both our grief and our determination to take forward Jo’s legacy is a source of great strength at what otherwise feels like a very bleak time.
“Now, particularly for the children, we have decided that Jo’s funeral will be a very small and private family affair.
“Anybody from the local community who would like to pay their respects is welcome to gather along the areas outlined as we make this last journey.
“Following this we would ask everyone to respect our privacy to enable us to grieve and rebuild as a family.”
Following her death, widower Brendan Cox set up a GoFundMe page for her favourite charities; HOPE not Hate, Royal Voluntary Service and the White Helmets, a Syrian civil defence group. More than £1m has since been raised.
Worryingly, politicians have begun receiving death threats. Labour politician Luciana Berger has been targeted by anti-Semitic abuse and threats of violence.
Images of kitchen knives were sent to Berger with warnings such as “You better watch your back Jewish scum.”
Similarly, death threats were made to Labour politician Angela Eagle, one of the hopefuls for the leadership. A 44 year old man from Scotland has been arrested and is being questioned by police.
Paula Sherriff and her staff, also Labour, have complained of receiving misogynistic abuse and threats.
In Parliament, Sherriff said, “it is a matter of record that in recent weeks there has been a significant escalation of misogynistic abuse and threats of violence, disproportionately towards female MPs from all sides of this House.
“It is apparent that this abuse has become completely out of hand now, with many, many members fearful for their and their staff’s safety and to the point where a number of members have discussed with me that they are worried about their own personal health as a result of this abuse.
“We all know that this comes just four weeks today after our dear colleague was murdered. This cannot be allowed to continue.”
Cox had been MP for just a year before her death after having been elected for the Batley and Spen constituency. Mair is due for trial in November.
