Politics has become even more brutal and toxic, Jo Cox's sister says

‘I worry that we have learnt nothing from what happened to Jo,’ says Kim Leadbeater

Jo Cox's sister Kim Leadbeater speaking alongside Cox's widower, Brendan, during the trial of the MPs killer in November 2016 (PA)

The sister of Jo Cox has said any resolve for “calmer, kinder politics” in the wake of the Labour MP's assassination has been forgotten.

Kim Leadbeater, whose sister was murdered in her Batley and Spen constituency by extreme right-wing terrorist Thomas Mair on 16 June 2016, said the “language of politics has become even more brutal and toxic”.

Speaking on the eve of the third anniversary of the Labour MP's death, Ms Leadbeater said: “Personal insults and vicious verbal abuse are in danger of been normalised.

“Candidates, MPs and others in public life are subject to intimidation and physical attacks so regularly it has almost become commonplace.

“I worry that we have learnt nothing from what happened to Jo, and I would hate any other family to have to go through what we have been through, and continue to go through, every day.”

She added: “Everybody agreed that we needed a calmer, kinder politics where we treat each other with respect and where violence or the threat of violence had no place.

“Today it feels like all that has been forgotten and the language of politics has become even more brutal and toxic.”

In recent months, right-wing politicians have been pelted with milkshakes while MPs including Remain-supporting Anna Soubry have been on the receiving end of insults outside Parliament.

Since the death of mother-of-two Ms Cox, two annual Great Get Together events have been held in her memory.

A third is due to be held next weekend.

PA