Jo Cox murder suspect Tommy Mair to stand 'terrorist trial' in November

The man accused of murdering Labour MP Jo Cox will stand in what will be considered a terrorist trial in November. Thomas Mair, 52, from Birstall, West Yorkshire, made a brief appearance at the Old Bailey accused of shooting and stabbing the MP for Batley and Spen on 16 June.

He faces charges of murder, grievous bodily harm, possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and possession of an offensive weapon. Mair spoke only to confirm his name after previously declaring his name as "death to traitors, freedom for Britain" at a previous hearing.

Mair will next appear in court on 19 September for a preliminary hearing before expecting to give a plea on 4 October. Judge Justice Saunders said the case would be treated as a terrorist trial for case-management purposes, with a trial date set for 14 November.

The court appearance one day after what would have been Cox's 42<sup>nd birthday, which coincided with thousands gathering in London's Trafalgar Square for a memorial to the mother of two, which was also attended by her family.

Her sister, Kim Leadbeater, told the crowd: "For now, our family is broken but it will mend in time and we will never let Jo leave our lives. She will live on through Brendan [her husband], through us and through her truly wonderful children who will always know what an utterly amazing woman their mother was. She was a human being. She was perfect."