Jo Cox death: Far-Right candidate for by-election is 'obscene'

All major parties had said they would not put up candidates for the by-election following the MP's tragic death last week.

But 23-year-old Jack Buckby, a member of little-known Liberty GB, says there is 'too much at stake to let Labour retake Batley and Spen unchallenged'.

Last night, Wolverhampton North East MP Emma Reynolds, a friend of Mrs Cox said: "The former BNP member represents everything that Jo Cox stood against.

"I hope that the people of Batley and Spen will elect an MP who will continue Jo's work in unifying, not dividing, the community."

Mrs Reynolds' comments come days after she attended a vigil in memory of Mrs Cox, held at the cenotaph in Wolverhampton City Centre.

The Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and UKIP have all announced their intention not to stand in the by-election.

Shadow Home Office minister Jack Dromey described the party's bid as "obscene, outrageous and contemptible".

He said: "The immorality of the far right knows no bounds.

"Britain will be shocked and they will be roundly rejected in the by-election".

Mr Buckby stood unsuccessfully for Liberty GB in the 2014 European election.

Mrs Cox died on Thursday after being shot and stabbed as she was due to hold a constituency surgery at a local library in Birstall.

A 52-year-old man who appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on Saturday over the killing gave his name as "Death to traitors, freedom for Britain".

Thomas Mair, from Birstall, is charged with murder, grievous bodily harm, possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and possession of a knife.