Thomas Mair
Tommy Mair | |
---|---|
Born | Kilmarnock, Scotland |
Supposed perpetrator of | Jo Cox/Murder |
Thomas "Tommy" Mair is a 52-year-old man who was arrested on 16 June 2016 and charged with the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in Birstall, West Yorkshire.[1] Special police units who searched Mair's house are believed to have found samples of Nazi regalia and far-right literature.[2]
Mair gave his name as "Death to traitors, freedom for Britain" when he appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 18 June 2016. 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. He is due to appear at the Old Bailey on Monday 20 June 2016.[3]
Springbok Club
Mair has been identified as a supporter of the Springbok Club, an organisation that has in the past defended the white supremacist regime in apartheid-era South Africa who publish S.A Patriot magazine and Springbok Cyber Newsletter. The latest edition of the Springbok Club newsletter addresses the EU Referendum, outlining the case for Brexit:
- “On Thursday 23rd June 2016 all British voters will have the opportunity to vote on the future of their country. They can vote either to remain entrapped in the artificial and retrograde European Union, or to regain their sovereign independence.”
National Alliance
According to the Jewish Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a group that monitors hate crimes and racist activities in the US, Mair was also a supporter of the National Alliance (NA), a once-prominent neo-Nazi organisation in the United States.
Receipts published by the SPLC appear to show Mair had literature detailing how to make homemade guns and bombs.
Britain First
Far-right group Britain First released a statement on Thursday distancing itself from Mair after reports circulated he had shouted ‘Britain first’ or ‘put Britain first’ during the attack on Cox.
A senior member from the group, which has in the past spoken of a hatred of white left-wing politicians, said they “were as shocked as anyone” and the that suspect was “categorically not a member” of the group.[4]
References
- ↑ "Thomas Mair: Man arrested in connection with Jo Cox attack was a 'loner' with 'history of mental health problems'"
- ↑ "Jo Cox killing: Nazi regalia discovered at house of suspect"
- ↑ "Jo Cox MP death: Thomas Mair in court on murder charge"
- ↑ "Who Is Tommy Mair? Man Arrested Over Jo Cox Murder Linked To Far-Right Groups" He once purchased books on how to make weapons