Jo Cox suspect Thomas Mair to face Lee Rigby style terror trial as he refuses to enter plea in court
Thomas Mair, 53, is accused of shooting and stabbing Mrs Cox, 41, outside her constituency surgery in Birstall, near Leeds, on June 16
JO Cox's alleged killer will be tried for murdering the Labour MP in a "terror offence" after refusing to speak or enter a plea at court today.
Thomas Mair, 53, will be tried in the same way as the killers of Fusilier Lee Rigby after shooting and stabbing Jo, 41, outside her constituency surgery in Birstall, near Leeds, on June 16.
His refusal to speak will be lodged as a not guilty plea and he will face trial for allegedly murdering the 41-year-old outside her constituency surgery in June.
A judge today ruled the Labour MP's murder is being treated as a terror offence.
He is charged with murder, grievous bodily harm, possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and possession of an offensive weapon.
The 53-year-old appeared at the Old Bailey via videolink from the top security Belmarsh Jail to enter his not guilty plea to Mr Justice Wilkie.
Mair, from Birstall, is in custody and his case is being treated under the "terrorism protocol".
Wearing red trousers and a white sweatshirt, the bearded defendant appeared via video- link from Belmarsh prison before senior judge Mr Justice Wilkie.
He spoke to confirm his name and then sat with his arms crossed and stayed silent as he was asked to enter pleas.
The judge ordered, in light of his silence, that not guilty pleas be entered on all the charges.
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Members of Mrs Cox's family gathered at the Old Bailey to see Mair in court.
It was earlier announced medical issues will not form a part of the alleged killer's trial.
A provisional four-week trial date has been set for November 14.
Prosecutor Tom Little said during a hearing at the Old Bailey in September the main issue in the trial will be "factual".
"The prosecution understand that the issues will be factual, or appear to be at this stage," he added.
Cairns Nelson, defending, confirmed that the defendant has been assessed by doctors and that medical evidence will not form part of the defence.
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