‘Mental illness’ of loner arrested over murder of MP Jo Cox
Thomas Mair, 52, described as a “loner” by locals on Yorkshire council estate where he had lived for 40 years
THE man arrested over the murder of Jo Cox was last night revealed to be a “quiet loner” with a history of mental illness.
Tommy Mair, 52, who lived alone following the death of his nan 20 years ago, was said to have been on medication and receiving psychotherapy for prolonged periods.
His half-brother Duane St Louis, 41, said the suspect was obsessed with personal hygiene. He added: “He was always cleaning himself. He cleaned himself with Brillo pads.”
Neighbours said Mair worked as a volunteer gardener, as well as helping at the library where Mrs Cox was killed. He had lived in the same council estate semi in Birstall, West Yorks, for 40 years.
Locals described him as “very quiet, but very helpful”. But both they and Mair’s relatives said he was not politically-minded.
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Mrs Cox’s killer had reportedly shouted “Britain first”.
One of the witnesses who initially claim they heard the remark has since denied it.
Brother Scott Mair, 50, told The Sun: “We are struggling to believe what has happened. My brother is not a violent man and is not that political. We don’t even know who he votes for.
“I am visibly shaken at this news. I am so sorry for the MP and her family. I’ve no idea how he got hold of the gun. It’s all been too much for us today.”
Mr St Louis added: “He’s never expressed any views about Britain, or politics or racist tendencies. I’m mixed race and I’m his half-brother, we got on well.”
In 2010 Mair told a local newspaper how volunteering at a country park had helped him cope with mental illness.
He said: “It has done me more good than all the psychotherapy and medication in the world.
“Many people who suffer from mental illness are socially isolated and disconnected from society, feelings of worthlessness are also common mainly caused by long-term unemployment.
“All these problems are alleviated by doing voluntary work.”
Neighbour Kathleen Cooke, 62, said: “It is awful to think that he has shot someone. I can hardly believe it as he is a quiet bloke who keeps himself to himself.
“He has lived here for 40 years and has never caused any trouble. He sometimes used to shout at the local kids if they played too near to his house, but that is fairly normal.”
David Pickles, 62, who also lives nearby, added: “He is just a bit of a loner, but I would not say he was unfriendly.
“I know he spent a lot of time in the library and liked to go on the computers there. I don’t know what he was looking up.”
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