Jo Cox: Far-right parties to fight Batley and Spen by-election after MP's death

Labour's Tracy Brabin will face nine other candidates in the by-election prompted by the death of MP Jo Cox, including several from far-right parties.

The Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Ukip have all said they will not be fielding a candidate out of respect for Cox, who was shot and stabbed to death in Birstall, West Yorkshire, in June.

But other smaller parties have said they will contest the seat, with many arguing residents have a democratic right to be able to vote for a full range of candidates.

None of the parties standing against former soap star Brabin on 20 October featured in the 2015 Batley and Spen election, when Cox won her seat with 43% of the vote and beat her closest Conservative rival by a majority of 6,000.

Those fielding candidates in the by-election include campaign organiser for the British National Party (BNP), David Furness, and anti-Islam party Liberty GB.

The National Front is also represented by Richard Edmonds, a veteran far-right politician who came last in the Carshalton and Wallington 2015 general election with 49 votes.

English Democrats' candidate Therese Hirst, a former leader of Robert Kilroy-Silk's Veritas party, is also standing.

Those contesting the seat as independents include Waqas Ali Khan, a Ukip member who stood for the party in the 2015 general election in Shipley, coming third behind Tory Philip Davies.

Fellow independent Garry Kitchin defended his decision to stand by saying he believes "basic democratic principles mean that, in every constituency, people have the right to a full range of candidates to choose from when they select their MP".

One candidate named on the list as Corbyn Anti will appear on the ballot paper as "ANTI Corbyn".

It comes in the same week as Labour members paid tribute to Cox during the annual party conference in Liverpool.

Brabin, 55, who was chosen as the party's candidate ahead of fellow nominee Jane Thomas last week, said she was "humbled and privileged" to stand in the seat. She said on Twitter: "Jo was my inspiration. I intend to do her proud."

Thomas Mair, 53, has been charged with the murder of Cox and will next appear in court in November for a plea hearing.