Police in Northern Engand said on Friday that they are investigating right-wing extremism as possible motive behind the murder of Jo Cox, a Labour member of the British House of Commons.

The 41-year-old Cox died on Thursday after she was shot and stabbed by a man named Tommy Mair by the British press. The lawmaker was then visiting her constituents in the town of Birstall, West Yorkshire.

West Yorkshire Police Temporary Chief Constable Dee Collins said in a statement that her department is carrying out a a murder investigation into the Cox case with the assistance of a terrorism unit, who will bring specialist assets in support of the enquiry.

"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 enquiry which we are pursuing," she said.

"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 enquiry which will help us establish the motive for the attack," she added.

According to local press reports, Mair, who had no permanent job, used to attend a a clinic for adults with mental health problems. Witness also said that Mair attacked Cox while shouting racist slogans. He was also found to have links with some white racist group.

Cox was a parliamentarian who suported Britain to stay in the European Union in the upcoming referendum and opposed to nationalistic anti-immigration views.

"Based on information available at this time, this appears to be an isolated, but targeted attack upon Jo -- there is also no indication at this stage that anyone else was involved in the attack. However we will be investigating how the suspect came to be in possession of an unlawfully held firearm," Collins said.  

Source:
courtesy of XINHUA NEWS AGENCY

by Xinhua News Agency

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