Sister of Jo Cox praises UK’s unity after attacks

THE SISTER of murdered MP Jo Cox has praised the way the UK has come together in the aftermath of terror attacks in Manchester and London, as well as the Grenfell Tower fire.

Mother-of-two Mrs Cox was shot and stabbed by neo-Nazi Thomas Mair in her Batley and Spen West Yorkshire constituency days before the EU referendum in June 2016.

Launching the second annual Great Get Together in the politician’s memory, Mrs Cox’s sister Kim Leadbeater called on the nation to reject “the hatred of extremists who seek to divide us”.

Ms Leadbeater said: “The year after we lost Jo was a sad and difficult time for us as a family.

“And for the country it was marked by terrible tragedy with the terrorist attacks in London and Manchester and the horrendous fire at Grenfell Tower.

“In every case people came together with strength and compassion and showed they wouldn’t be beaten.”

She added: “I’m touched by how many people say they remember my sister’s words in Parliament when she said we have more in common than that which divides us.”

Ms Leadbeater called on people to help “prove her right” and “help continue the work she started” by taking part in the Great Get Together, which will take place on June 22-24, which would have been Mrs Cox’s 44th birthday weekend.

Thousands of street parties, picnics and sports days are being organised across the UK, including a Run for Jo celebration in her former constituency.