The far-right British National Party (BNP) has posted leaflets around Dewsbury criticising Jo Cox for “helping Muslims”.
Former BNP member Jack Buckby is to contest the by-election in the Batley and Spen constituency Mrs Cox represented, despite commitments from the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Ukip not to field a candidate.
Dewsbury MP, Paula Sherriff has highlighted the “horrendous” leaflets in the Commons during a debate about hate crime.
She said the leaflets said Mrs Cox was “misguided” to help people who may go on to join Islamic State, also known as Isis.
Mrs Cox was killed after being shot and stabbed in Birstall on June 16, a week before the EU referendum.
Home Office Minister Karen Bradley committed to meeting Ms Sherriff to discuss the “utterly unacceptable” leaflets and to look at what “specific action” can be taken against the BNP.
During Ms Bradley’s statement on hate crime, Ms Sherriff revealed a seven year-old Muslim girl had contacted her after receiving foul racist abuse on the day the EU referendum result was announced.
She added: “I am continuing to receive a number of similar incidents. I like many others, I am so proud to be British, but I am also proud to be the daughter of a mother who is half Polish.
“On Monday I asked the Prime Minister about establishing a cross-party commission to look at these race hate crimes and wonder if any progress has been made on that?
“Because the time to act isn’t tomorrow, next week or next month, it’s now.”
