Inquest to open into death of MP Jo Cox

Her death has prompted a huge wave of shock and emotion around the UK and across the world.

Mrs Cox’s widower Brendan and their children marked what would have been Mrs Cox’s 42nd birthday at an event in Trafalgar Square on Wednesday along with people at related gatherings all around the world.

Earlier in the week, they heard Prime Minister David Cameron praise the young MP as “a voice of compassion whose irrepressible spirit and boundless energy lit up the lives of all who knew her”.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said that, with her death, British society had lost “one of our very best”.

Mr Cameron and Mr Corbyn both visited Birstall market square to add their tributes to a sea of floral memorials that has grown just yards from where the tragedy happened.

Mrs Cox had only been an MP for just over a year, having been elected for the Batley and Spen constituency where she grew up, in last year’s General Election.

Her dedication to a range of causes, both as an MP and in her previous work with development charities, has drawn praise from all sides of the political spectrum and prompted calls for a rethink of the public’s attitude to public figures and the nature of political discourse.

Her death has also led to a fresh debate about how to properly protect politicians.

Former miner Bernard Kenny, 78, who was injured when he came to Mrs Cox’s aid in Birstall, was released from hospital earlier this week.

Calls have been growing for him to be honoured for his bravery.

The hearing at Bradford Coroner’s Court on Friday is expected to be brief.

Coroner Martin Fleming is expected to open the inquest, hearing some details about how Mrs Cox was identified and how she died. He is then expected to adjourn the inquest until the police investigation is complete.

:: Thomas Mair, 52, appeared at the Old Bailey, in central London, earlier this week charged with murdering Mrs Cox.

He is also charged with grievous bodily harm, possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and possession of an offensive weapon.

He is due to go on trial in November.

At a magistrates’ hearing last week he gave his name as “Death to traitors, freedom for Britain.”

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