Murdered MP’S husband quits charities amid harassment allegations
THE husband of murdered MP Jo Cox apologised yesterday for “inappropriate” behaviour towards women following claims he sexually harassed them while working at Save the Children.
Brendan Cox said he had “caused some women hurt and offence” and stepped down from two charities he founded in his late wife’s name following her murder during the 2016 EU referendum campaign.
Despite the allegations, Kim Leadbeater, Ms Cox’s sister, said her family would stand by him as he attempted to correct his past mistakes. Two female Labour MPS and former friends of Mrs Cox, also came to his defence.
According to reports in yesterday’s Mail on Sunday, Mr Cox is alleged to have drunkenly harassed a female em- ployee at Save the Children in London, held her by the throat and made a lurid comment. He left his role at the charity shortly afterwards. He was also alleged to have behaved badly towards a woman at a conference in America.
He said in a statement: “I want to apologise deeply and unreservedly for my past behaviour and for the hurt and offence that I have caused.
“While I do not accept the allegations contained in the 2015 complaint to the police in Cambridge, Massachusetts, I do acknowledge and understand that during my time at Save the Children I made mistakes and behaved in a way that caused some women hurt and offence. This was never malicious but it was certainly inappropriate.”
Mr Cox denied preying on two women while he was married to the late politician. He has stepped down from his posts at the charity More in Common and the Jo Cox Foundation.
Mrs Cox, a Labour MP, was shot and stabbed outside her constituency office by a far-right extremist on June 16, 2016. She was 41. The pair married in 2009 and had two children together.
In a statement, Ms Leadbeater said: “As a family we support Brendan as he endeavours to do the right thing by admitting mistakes he may have made in the past, and respect him for doing so.
“We all make mistakes. Brendan is a wonderful father and I have no doubt about the happiness he brought to Jo.
“My other focus is to wholeheartedly continue the work I have begun through the More in Common movement and to support the Jo Cox Foundation in continuing its valuable work.”
Labour MPS Jess Phillips and Lucy Powell backed Mr Cox after his apology and decision to stand down.
Ms Phillips said: “I think the truth of the matter is we live in an era where men are going to have to address [their] behaviour, both previously and in the future… I don’t like this idea that we just switch off our feelings ... I love Brendan, he’s my friend.”
Ms Powell said it was good for Mr Cox to be “reflecting and taking responsibility for past actions”, while Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, tweeted: “I have worked with Brendan Cox and agree with Lucy Powell.”
Jane Merrick, who as a junior political reporter was at the centre of accusations that brought about the resignation of Sir Michael Fallon, the former Defence Secretary, tweeted: “Thinking of Jo Cox today, and also of the women allegedly harassed by Brendan Cox… it’s right that he’s stood down.
“It’s also possible to hold contradictory views of someone, and I feel appalled at his alleged behaviour and still have ongoing sympathy for someone whose wife was murdered in the most brutal way possible.”