Birstall holds church services to remember murdered MP Jo Cox

Services to commemorate murdered MP Jo Cox at St Peter's Church in Birstall took place on Sunday, 19 June. Cox was shot and killed outside her constituency surgery on Thursday, 16 June.

At the service, the Reverend Paul Knight called her a "fervent advocate for the poor and the oppressed". Prayers were also said for her husband Brendan and their two children.

The man accused of her murder, Thomas Mair, appeared in court on Saturday. When asked to give his name he said it was "Death to Traitors, Freedom for Britain". A GoFundMe page dedicated to the MP has already raised over £600,000 ($860,000).

The money donated will be used to support three charities the organisers say were close to Cox's heart: The Royal Voluntary Service, HOPE not Hate, and The White Helmets. Cox's sister and parents visited Birstall, where the MP was shot, on Saturday, to read tributes and give a "sincere and heartfelt thank you" to those who had shown them support.

Cox's sister and parents visited Birstall, where the MP was shot, on Saturday, to read tributes and give a "sincere and heartfelt thank you" to those who had shown them support.

"There are some things in life you should never have to do," said Cox's sister, Kim Leadbeater, "last night I had to go and identify my sister's body." Leadbeater said that all Cox ever wanted from an early age was "for everyone to be happy."

Leadbeater said that all Cox ever wanted from an early age was "for everyone to be happy".

"She was my sister, my only sibling, my parent's first born child, a wife and a mum," said Leadbetter, saying that Cox "only saw the good".

The lead suspect in Cox's killing, 55-year-old Mair, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday charged with murder, grievous bodily harm, possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence, and possession of an offensive weapon.

Mair's lawyers were asked to confirm that his name was Thomas Mair after he told the court his name was "Death to Traitors, Freedom for Britain". When asked his date of birth and address, he stayed silent.

Parliament will be recalled on Monday (20 June) to allow MPs to pay tribute to Cox.