Closer news report:
It’s nearly a year since Labour MP Jo Cox – a champion for equality – was murdered by Thomas Mair, a white supremacist. Closer speaks to her friend Kirsty Mcneill, who says Jo would have urged us to embrace love not hate. And that sentiment has never been
“Jo would have despaired at the senseless killing – she embraced love not hate”
The brutal T murder of MP Jo Cox sent shockwaves across the nation last year, when she was repeatedly shot and stabbed by a stranger in her constituency of Birstall, near Leeds.
Now, as her family and friends prepare for the first anniversary of her death on 16 June, Jo’s close friend Kirsty Mcneill, 37 – who helps run the Jo Cox Foundation, alongside Jo’s husband and their friends – says the anniversary of her death is even more poignant following the recent terrorist attacks.
Kirsty – who lives in London with her husband, Roger, 35 – says: “I still can’t believe Jo has gone and the terror attacks have made it harder because I know how upset she would’ve been. She would have grieved for those innocent people.”
Jo’s husband Brendan, 41, has also added: “One of Jo’s main campaigns was the protection of civilians… She’d be heartbroken at the senseless killing seen in Manchester and London. But I know she’d have been so proud of how people have refused to be divided.”
A LOVING MOTHER
Kirsty, a director at Save The Children, who knew Jo for more than 10 years and was close to Brendan, said Jo wouldn’t want us to let the terrorists win, adding: “Jo would have wanted us to embrace love not hate.”
Jo – mum to Cuillin, six, and Lejla, four – was on her way to a constituency surgery on 16 June, when local man Thomas Mair launched his frenzied attack – using a gun and a knife. Mair was heard shouting “Britain first” as he assaulted pro-eu campaigner Jo a week before last year’s referendum. He received a life sentence in November 2016.
Kirsty says: “I work with colleagues in warzones, but I never thought a friend would be in danger here. I was devastated.
“Jo was incredibly loyal, energetic and enthusiastic. I saw her the week before she died and we’d chatted about our families, how we could help change the world for the better. But ever the loving mother, our conversation was cut short when she had to dash off for bath time.”
In the year since Jo’s death, the UK has suffered three horrific terrorist attacks.
In March, Khalid Masood, 52, drove a car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, killing four, before fatally stabbing policeman Keith Palmer.
On 22 May, 22 victims – many of them children – died when Salman Abedi, 23, detonated a nail bomb at the exit of an Ariana Grande show in Manchester.
And just 12 days later, at 10pm on 3 June, three terrorists drove a van into pedestrians on London Bridge, before running into nearby Borough Market to stab more victims. The attack left eight people dead and 48 injured. As Closer went to press, 10 of those were in a critical condition.
Islamic State claimed responsibility and the terrorists, who were shot dead by police, were identified as Youssef Zaghba, 22, Khuram Butt, 27, and Rachid Redouane, 30, all from East London.
Kirsty says: “It’s heartbreaking to watch it happen – knowing how it feels to be receiving a call to say that a loved one won’t be coming home.”
FINDING STRENGTH
Kirsty is still struggling to come to terms with Jo’s death. She says: “It’s been incredibly hard – especially for Brendan and the children. Nothing will fill the void Jo’s left. Brendan is staying strong for the children – the way he’s coped has been incredible. I see the family every month and can’t believe how strong the kids are. It’s amazing and a real testament to Jo’s spirit.”
Brendan has admitted that, at times, he’s cried so much the skin around his eyes has cracked. He recently said: “The grief hits
me in vicious waves often when I least expect it… I can’t bring her back but the memories we all have of her keep her alive.”
And Kirsty says that those who were close to Jo are determined to honour her memory by finding love in every situation.
She says: “Everyone has been learning to say ‘I love you’ more often – you don’t know if you’ll get that chance again. We’re honouring her birthday on 22 June with a party, and also hope to have a gathering to mark her death.”
The celebration of Jo’s life extends beyond her friendship group. Between 16 and 18 June, communities will be gathering in The Great Get Together – a series of street parties, picnics and bake-offs to remember Jo.
UNITING COMMUNITIES
Kirsty says: “It’s about celebrating everything we have in common. It demonstrates the outpouring of unity that came in the wake of Jo’s death – similar to what we’re experiencing now after the recent attacks. If we continue Jo’s legacy, hopefully in 20 years we’ll celebrate the things we have in common rather than focusing on the hatred that can ruin lives.”