Berlin attack: Nigel Farage sparks fury with comments about husband of murdered MP Jo Cox

Chloe Chaplain20 December 2016
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Nigel Farage has sparked a furious backlash with comments about the widower of murdered MP Jo Cox.

The former Ukip leader appeared to accuse Brendan Cox of endorsing extremism amid a row sparked in the wake of the Berlin terror attack.

Mr Farage attracted criticism from Mr Cox - whose Labour MP wife was murdered by far-right extremist Thomas Mair in June - after he suggested on Twitter that German Chancellor Angela Merkel was to blame for the attack in which 12 people died at a Christmas market.

Responding, Mr Cox wrote: "Blaming politicians for the actions of extremists? That's a slippery slope Nigel.”

Twitter row: Jo Cox's widower Brendan  
PA

When asked about the response by LBC radio presenter Nick Ferrari, Mr Farage said: “Yes, well of course he would know more about extremists than me, Mr Cox.

“He backs organisations like Hope Not Hate who masquerade as being lovely and peaceful but actually pursue violent and very undemocratic means.

Jo Cox: The MP was murdered in June (Yui Mok/PA )
Yui Mok/PA

“And I’m sorry Mr Cox, but it is time people started to take responsibility for what’s happened.

“Mrs Merkel has directly caused a whole number of social and terrorist problems in Germany. It is about time we confronted that truth.”

Mr Ferrarri then suggested that Mr Cox had suffered more at the hands of extremism than most.

In response, Mr Farage said: “Yes, it’s a terrible thing what happened to his family, with the murder of his wife, but he continues to be active in the political arena.

“And given some of the organisations he supports, I can’t just stand here and say I’m not going to respond.”

Controversial comments: Mr Farage suggested Mr Cox endorsed extremists FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP/Getty Images
AFP/Getty Images

His comments have been met with disgust by a number of politicians, with Jess Phillips, Labour MP for Birmingham tweeting: “I've just seen Farage's comments to Brendan Cox.

“Perhaps I'm upset because Farage essentially sneering at the murder of my friend and the pain of her family is something I've come to expect.

“Yet he still remains a credible voice in my lovely country.

"A man who pokes at deepest pain I've ever felt and sneers at my love for my country.”

She added that Mr Farage was a "monster".

Tottenham's Labour MP David Lammy also expressed outrage at the comments, writing: “Insulting the widower of a woman murdered by terrorists.

"A period of silence on your part would be welcome Nigel.”

And MP for Chesterfield Toby Perkins wrote: “When your entire career has been built on hate, not hope, it perhaps shouldn't shock me, but Farage still sinks lower than I'd have believed.”

The former Ukip leader was criticised for his comments, posted after 12 people were killed in the devastation at the popular market at Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.

Berlin terror attack: Horror as lorry ploughs into crowds

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He tweeted: “Terrible news from Berlin but no surprise. Events like these will be the Merkel legacy.”

Mrs Merkel, who faces an election challenge next year, has faced criticism in some parts of Germany over her open-door policy to refugees during the crisis in Syria.

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