Barack Obama calls Jo Cox's Widow to Offer 'Sincere Condolences' After 'Heinous' Murder

Barack Obama has called the widow of Jo Cox from Air Force One to offer his "sincere condolences" after the "heinous" murder of the MP.

The US president spoke to Brendan Cox on Friday, a day after the MP was was shot and stabbed outside her constituency surgery in Birstall, near Leeds.

"President Obama offered his sincere condolences on behalf of the American people to Mr Cox and his two young children, as well as to her friends, colleagues and constituents," a White House statement said.

"The president noted that the world is a better place because of her selfless service to others, and that there can be no justification for this heinous crime, which robbed a family, a community and a nation of a dedicated wife, mother and public servant."

Mr Cox gave a statement on Friday in which he urged people to "fight against the hatred that killed her".

"Today is the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. More difficult, more painful, less joyful, less full of love. I and Jo's friends and family are going to work every moment of our lives to love and nurture our kids and to fight against the hate that killed Jo.

"Jo believed in a better world and she fought for it every day of her life with an energy, and a zest for life that would exhaust most people.

"She would have wanted two things above all else to happen now, one that our precious children are bathed in love and two, that we all unite to fight against the hatred that killed her. Hate doesn't have a creed, race or religion, it is poisionous.

"Jo would have no regrets about her life, she lived every day of it to the full."

West Yorkshire Police said early on Saturday that Thomas Mair, of Birstall, had been charged with murder, grievous bodily harm, possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and possession of an offensive weapon.

Mair will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

Police are investigating the 52-year-old suspected attacker's far-right links.

Among "numerous" lines of inquiry, the force said it is also looking at the suspect's mental health in a bid to establish a motive for the attack.

Temporary Chief Constable Dee Collins said: "A murder investigation is under way by West Yorkshire Police who are working together with the North East Counter Terrorism Unit, who will bring specialist assets in support of the inquiry.

"We are aware of the speculation within the media in respect of the suspect's link to mental health services and this is a clear line of inquiry which we are pursuing.

"We are also aware of the inference within the media of the suspect being linked to right-wing extremism which is again a priority line of inquiry which will help us establish the motive for the attack on Jo."