JO COX LEAFLET ROW

BNP accused of posting leaflets claiming dead MP Jo Cox was ‘misguided’ by ‘helping Muslims’ near the town she was shot

Paula Sherriff MP condemmed the leaflets as "horrendous" but the party denied it was responsible for them

The far-right British National Party (BNP) has been accused of posting leaflets to people living near where Labour MP Jo Cox was killed two weeks ago which said she was "misguided" by helping Muslims, the House of Commons heard today.

This afternoon Labour's Paula Sherriff, MP for Dewsbury, told the Commons her constituents received the "horrendous" leaflet yesterday.

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Labour MP Paula Sherriff spoke in the House of Commons today about the leaflet her constituents have receivedCredit: Parliament TV

The leaflet said Mrs Cox was wrong to help people who may go on to join Islamic State, also known as Isis.

Mrs Cox was shot and stabbed in Birstall, West Yorkshire, on June 16, one week before the EU referendum.

Ms Sherriff told the Commons: "Many members will be aware that my constituency sits right next door to Batley and Spen.

"Yesterday people in my constituency received a leaflet from the BNP saying Jo Cox took misguided action by helping Muslims in the country who may now go on to join Isis, alongside some other horrendous allegations.

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"Then I have received a significant number of communications from constituents, one - a seven year-old Muslim girl - was told on Friday, I've removed the expletives from this for the purpose of this House, 'it was the best day ever today, go home all of you' to her and her family.

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"And I am continuing to receive a number of similar incidents.

"I like many others, I am so proud to be British, but I am also proud to be the daughter of a mother who is half Polish.

"On Monday I asked the Prime Minister about establishing a cross-party commission to look at these race hate crimes and wonder if any progress has been made on that?

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"Because the time to act isn't tomorrow, next week or next month, it's now."

Home Office minister Karen Bradley responded: "I am shocked by what you say, I am sure the whole House is shocked.

Labour MP Jo Cox, who was killed two weeks ago as she was in her constituency for a surgeryCredit: Facebook

"That is utterly, utterly unacceptable.

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"I would like to meet you if you would allow and perhaps we can discuss a specific action being taken and make sure that any crimes such as those are reported and actions taken against them."

However, the BNP issued a statement saying it was not responsible for the leaflets.

It read: "The British National Party did NOT produce or deliver any such leaflet.

"The BNP have notified the police insisting on a serious investigation using fingerprint and DNA technology to identify the perpetrators of this vicious act."

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Since Mrs Cox's death a by-election has been triggered.

The Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and UKIP have all said they will not contest the seat.

But Jack Buckby, a former BNP member, has said he will stand for the seat for the Liberty GB party - a far-right party.


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