The assassination of Jo Cox: A decade on
On an otherwise normal Thursday morning in June 2016, Labour MP Jo Cox arrived in Birstall, West Yorkshire, where she planned to hold a constituency meeting with local residents. However, the tragedy that followed was not on the morning’s agenda.
A Labour MP for Batley and Spen, Helen Joanne 'Jo' Cox was a passionate campaigner for refugees and social justice, being a vocal supporter of the UK remaining in the EU. At just 41, Cox had quickly become a rising star within the Labour party, and was both well-liked and respected in politics.
It made the manner of her sudden murder all the more shocking.
Join Crime+Investigation as we delve into the assassination of MP Jo Cox and how this horrific crime is remembered 10 years on.
That fateful day
At 12:53pm on 16th June, days before her constituents would head to the polls to vote on the Brexit referendum, Cox arrived at Birstall Library to hold a surgery. She was a staunch ‘Remainer’, and even though the political atmosphere in the lead-up to the vote had become increasingly febrile, few could have expected what would happen next.
As soon as Cox stepped out of her car near the village library, Thomas Alexander Mair walked up behind her. Moments later, she was shot multiple times with a rifle and stabbed repeatedly.
Bystanders witnessed Mair shouting: 'Britain first' and 'keep Britain independent' while he carried out the attack.
The brutal assault was captured on CCTV and unfolded with shocking suddenness in front of onlookers. Emergency services rushed Cox to the hospital, but she died of her injuries.
A 77-year-old man, Bernard Kenny, had tried to intervene but was stabbed in the stomach. He survived the attack and would receive the George Medal for his bravery.
The man behind the murder
But who is Thomas Mair, and why did he murder Jo Cox? It turns out Mair was not just a random attacker, and the attack was not spontaneous. The 53-year-old was a loner with a long history of far-right sympathies, including links to neo-Nazi groups and white supremacist material found in his home. Police later uncovered extremist literature and Nazi memorabilia among his possessions when searching his home.
At his first court appearance, Mair gave his name as 'death to traitors, freedom for Britain', a chilling idea of his mindset.
Prosecutors argued that Cox was targeted because she represented everything he despised, such as liberal values, inclusive politics and her outspoken support for immigrants and remaining in the EU.
A QC leading the prosecution described the attack: ‘dynamic, fast-moving and shocking. It was a cowardly attack by a man armed with a firearm and a knife', he told the jury. 'It was a premeditated murder for a political and/or ideological cause.'
In November 2016, Mair was convicted of Cox’s murder and related offences. The judge ruled the killing an act of terrorism designed to advance a cause associated with white supremacy. Mair was sentenced to a whole-life sentence, meaning he will spend the rest of his life in prison.
A nation in mourning
News of Cox’s murder echoed throughout the UK and beyond. Political leaders from all parties condemned the violence, calling it an attack on democracy itself. Hundreds of floral tributes appeared outside parliament and in towns across the country, a spontaneous outpouring of sorrow and defiance.
Thousands attended her funeral in July 2016, lining the streets of her constituency to pay their respects.
Friends and colleagues remembered Cox as energetic, compassionate and committed to serving others. She had previously worked for humanitarian causes and brought that same spirit into her work as an MP.
In a statement read during the trial, family members highlighted her devotion to her children and her belief that people have 'more in common than that which divides us.'
But what lasting effect has this tragedy had over the last 10 years?
A decade on
In the 10 years since her murder, Jo Cox’s legacy has become a testament, not just to her life, but to the values she championed. Perhaps the most enduring reminder is the Great Get Together, an annual nationwide series of community events inspired by her belief in unity and humanity.
Held close to her birthday each June, these gatherings bring neighbours together for conversation, food, and mutual support, celebrating common ground over division. The 2026 edition will mark 10 years since her death and is expected to be one of the largest yet.
Cox’s murder also prompted new discussions about the safety of politicians. Attacks on public officials in the UK are rare, but Cox’s death, followed by the 2021 killing of Conservative MP Sir David Amess, highlights the risk in constituency work. Security measures have since been reviewed and reinforced.
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