Jo Cox MP to be remembered at Birstall church services

Services are being held to remember Jo Cox MP who was killed on Thursday.

The services at St Peter's Church, Birstall - in Mrs Cox's constituency - come as a memorial fund set up in her name has topped £600,000.

Thomas Mair, accused of her murder, appeared before magistrates on Saturday where he gave his name as "Death to traitors, freedom for Britain".

Later, Mrs Cox's sister called on people to "focus on that which unites us and not which divides us".

Kim Leadbeater was speaking as she and Mrs Cox's parents Gordon and Jeanvisited Birstall on Saturday to read floral tributes and thank gathered crowds for their support.Speaking in the village's market square, she described the MP as "perfect".

The tributes paid to her sister had "genuinely made a difference", she said, and helped the family through some "dark times".

"I could not watch the overwhelming outpouring of love without speaking on behalf of Jo," she said.

"She will live on through good people in the world."The Reverend Paul Knight, vicar at St Peter's Anglican church, told the congregation Mrs Cox was a "fervent advocate for the poor and the oppressed."

"Her humanity was powerful and compelling and we would do well to recognise her as an amazing example, a 21st Century Good Samaritan," he said.

'Unity'

Tributes were also paid to Bernard Kenny, the 77-year-old man who was injured as he came to the MP's aid on Thursday.

"I think he has been a very brave person," Reverend Knight said.

Mr Kenny remains in a stable condition in hospital.Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr programme, the Justice Secretary, Michael Gove, said of Mrs Cox: "She's the sort of person who all of us would want our daughters to grow up to be."

The Labour leader also spoke to the show and described his impression of the strong community in Birstall.

Jeremy Corbyn said: "What struck me was the unity of the crowd, all ethnic groups, everybody there together, totally shocked and in grief at what happened."

Mrs Cox, who was married with two children, was about to attend a constituency surgery when she was killed.

As services remembering Jo Cox took place, her husband, Brendan, tweeted: "Jo loved camping. Last night the kids & I camped in her memory & remembered the last time we were all woken by the dawn chorus.

"Mr Mair, 52, from Birstall, faces charges of murder, grievous bodily harm, possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and possession of an offensive weapon.

The defendant, who was wearing a grey tracksuit, refused to give his correct name and did not reply when asked to confirm his address and date of birth at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

He did not enter a plea and is next due to appear for a bail application hearing at the Old Bailey on Monday.Parliament will be recalled on Monday to allow MPs to pay further tributes to Mrs Cox.

The funds raised in the memorial fund will support three causes her husband, Brendan Cox, said were close to her heart, including the The Royal Voluntary Service, HOPE not hate and The White Helmets.