This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/dec/20/nigel-farage-accuses-jo-cox-widower-brendan-cox-of-supporting-extremism

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Nigel Farage accuses Jo Cox's widower of supporting extremism Nigel Farage accuses Jo Cox's widower of supporting extremism
(35 minutes later)
The widower of Jo Cox became embroiled in a war of words with Nigel Farage after criticising the Ukip politician for saying the Berlin Christmas market attack would reflect Angela Merkel’s “legacy”.The widower of Jo Cox became embroiled in a war of words with Nigel Farage after criticising the Ukip politician for saying the Berlin Christmas market attack would reflect Angela Merkel’s “legacy”.
Brendan Cox accused Farage of “blaming politicians for the actions of extremists”, adding in his tweet: “That’s a slippery slope Nigel.” It prompted the former Ukip leader to retaliate by accusing Cox of supporting extremism.Brendan Cox accused Farage of “blaming politicians for the actions of extremists”, adding in his tweet: “That’s a slippery slope Nigel.” It prompted the former Ukip leader to retaliate by accusing Cox of supporting extremism.
Farage had tweeted about the Berlin attack, in which 12 people died when a truck ploughed into a crowd on Monday, referring to the German chancellor when saying: “Terrible news from Berlin but no surprise. Events like these will be the Merkel legacy.”Farage had tweeted about the Berlin attack, in which 12 people died when a truck ploughed into a crowd on Monday, referring to the German chancellor when saying: “Terrible news from Berlin but no surprise. Events like these will be the Merkel legacy.”
@Nigel_Farage blaming politicians for the actions of extremists? That's a slippery slope Nigel@Nigel_Farage blaming politicians for the actions of extremists? That's a slippery slope Nigel
After Cox responded, Farage accused him of supporting extremism by backing Hope Not Hate, an anti-extremist charity, which is supported by the foundation set up in the name of the murdered Labour MP. Speaking on LBC radio, Farage alleged Hope Not Hate was itself an extreme group.After Cox responded, Farage accused him of supporting extremism by backing Hope Not Hate, an anti-extremist charity, which is supported by the foundation set up in the name of the murdered Labour MP. Speaking on LBC radio, Farage alleged Hope Not Hate was itself an extreme group.
Asked about the Twitter exchange with Cox, Farage said: “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 undemocratic means.”Asked about the Twitter exchange with Cox, Farage said: “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 undemocratic means.”
Farage also told LBC: “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’s about time we confronted that truth.”Farage also told LBC: “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’s about time we confronted that truth.”
Jo Cox was murdered by Thomas Mair, a far-right terrorist motivated by hatred for the MP’s work. He was given a whole life sentence in November.Jo Cox was murdered by Thomas Mair, a far-right terrorist motivated by hatred for the MP’s work. He was given a whole life sentence in November.
When the LBC host, Nick Ferrari, said Cox knew the consequences of extremism, Farage replied: “Yes, it’s a terrible thing what happened, with the murder of his wife.”When the LBC host, Nick Ferrari, said Cox knew the consequences of extremism, Farage replied: “Yes, it’s a terrible thing what happened, with the murder of his wife.”
Farage’s comments brought immediate condemnation from Labour MPs. “Beggars belief. A new low for Farage,” tweeted Tracy Brabin, who won the Batley and Spen seat for Labour after Cox’s murder.Farage’s comments brought immediate condemnation from Labour MPs. “Beggars belief. A new low for Farage,” tweeted Tracy Brabin, who won the Batley and Spen seat for Labour after Cox’s murder.
Beggars belief... A new low for Farage https://t.co/BBasbCMMcGBeggars belief... A new low for Farage https://t.co/BBasbCMMcG
Another Labour MP, Neil Coyle, tweeted:Another Labour MP, Neil Coyle, tweeted:
I pity Farage. His problem with @hopenothate is all they fight. His whole life is determined by hate, lies, racism, deceit & discrimination.I pity Farage. His problem with @hopenothate is all they fight. His whole life is determined by hate, lies, racism, deceit & discrimination.
The comments also prompted a threat of possible legal action from Hope Not Hate. “We are aware of a serious and potentially libellous statement made about Hope Not Hate by Nigel Farage on LBC radio this morning,” the group said in a statement.The comments also prompted a threat of possible legal action from Hope Not Hate. “We are aware of a serious and potentially libellous statement made about Hope Not Hate by Nigel Farage on LBC radio this morning,” the group said in a statement.
“We have no idea on what Mr Farage bases his outrageous comments. Hope Not Hate has a proud history of campaigning against extremism and hatred. We will not be making any further comment until we have had the opportunity to consult with our lawyers.”“We have no idea on what Mr Farage bases his outrageous comments. Hope Not Hate has a proud history of campaigning against extremism and hatred. We will not be making any further comment until we have had the opportunity to consult with our lawyers.”
The Jo Cox Foundation supports the Royal Voluntary Service and the Syrian volunteer group the White Helmets, as well as Hope Not Hate. The Jo Cox Foundation supports the Royal Voluntary Service and the Syrian volunteer group the White Helmets, as well as Hope Not Hate. Hope Not Hate grew out of the organisation Searchlight, which sought to highlight the activities of fascist and far-right groups. While it mainly focuses on community politics, Farage has previously accused people associated with it of disrupting his rallies.
Hope Not Hate grew out of the organisation Searchlight, which sought to highlight the activities of fascist and far-right groups. While it mainly focuses on community politics, Farage has previously accused people associated with it of disrupting his rallies.
Hope Not Hate challenges some of Ukip’s policies, operating a blog called Purple Rain, which examines issues connected with the party.Hope Not Hate challenges some of Ukip’s policies, operating a blog called Purple Rain, which examines issues connected with the party.
Farage has regularly accused Hope Not Hate members of disrupting his meetings and events. In 2014, he told the BBC he had hired bodyguards because of harassment from the group and from another organisation, Unite Against Fascism. Farage has regularly accused Hope Not Hate members of disrupting his meetings and events. In 2014, he told the BBC he had hired bodyguards because of harassment from the group and from another organisation, Unite Against Fascism. At the time, Hope Not Hate dismissed the idea as “ridiculous”, saying it had never sought to disrupt any of his events.
At the time, Hope Not Hate dismissed the idea as “ridiculous”, saying it had never sought to disrupt any of his events.
Asked on LBC how Merkel could be responsible for a truck potentially being hijacked in Poland, Farage said: “Well, she supports Schengen as well, doesn’t she?”Asked on LBC how Merkel could be responsible for a truck potentially being hijacked in Poland, Farage said: “Well, she supports Schengen as well, doesn’t she?”
He added: “There’s the point. These leaders of Europe support Schengen. They support the total free movement of people without borders. And the free movement of people doesn’t just mean the free movement of good people. It means the free movement of bad people, as well.”He added: “There’s the point. These leaders of Europe support Schengen. They support the total free movement of people without borders. And the free movement of people doesn’t just mean the free movement of good people. It means the free movement of bad people, as well.”
Other Labour MPs who hit out at Farage included David Lammy, who tweeted:Other Labour MPs who hit out at Farage included David Lammy, who tweeted:
Insulting the widower of a woman murdered by terrorists. A period of silence on your part would be welcome Nigel. https://t.co/Qe6Uo9dRY8Insulting the widower of a woman murdered by terrorists. A period of silence on your part would be welcome Nigel. https://t.co/Qe6Uo9dRY8
Stella Creasy wrote:Stella Creasy wrote:
Thank god @MrBrendanCox can find strength given what happened 2 his family 2 speak. If @Nigel_Farage had 1oz of his integrity he'd listen. https://t.co/EY6GL6kTzzThank god @MrBrendanCox can find strength given what happened 2 his family 2 speak. If @Nigel_Farage had 1oz of his integrity he'd listen. https://t.co/EY6GL6kTzz
And Alison McGovern tweeted:And Alison McGovern tweeted:
How dare you, Nigel Farage. https://t.co/g6dvEZHJXFHow dare you, Nigel Farage. https://t.co/g6dvEZHJXF
Was Streeting suggested people respond by donating to Cox’s foundation: Wes Streeting suggested people respond by donating to Cox’s foundation:
Here's an excellent way to respond to the nastiness of Nigel Farage: https://t.co/zYal9Eb2gH #moreincommon #lovelikeJoHere's an excellent way to respond to the nastiness of Nigel Farage: https://t.co/zYal9Eb2gH #moreincommon #lovelikeJo