Eurocrats Slammed for 'Using' UK MP's Shock Murder to Boost Remain Campaign

On Thursday (June 16), a 42-year-old mother of two was stabbed, shot and killed, after a meeting in her Yorkshire constituency, by a man who allegedly shouted "Britain First" before attacking her and is thought to have links with far-right groups.

Jo Cox had often spoken vocally about the need to embrace diversity and welcome more refugees fleeing from war zones.

Politicos in the UK immediately responded to the brutal murder by suspending all campaigning for Britain's referendum on EU membership due to take place of June 23.

Outside of Britain, however, some could not help but underline how the slain politician had been a staunch supporter of the UK staying in the EU. 

Cox's Bremain and pro-humanitarian credentials were highlighted by EU commissioner for migration Dimitris Avramopoulos, who, in a mournful tweet, wrote the the MP had been "murdered for her dedication to European democracy and humanity."

Condolences, although with a less explicit political bend, were also expressed by the President of the EU Commission Jean-Claude Juncker.

Some British tweeters did not take kindly to the Eurocrats' statements. Several pro-Leave web-activists replied scornfully to Avramopoulos and Juncker, accusing them of exploiting Cox's death for the sake of scoring political (pro-Remain) points. 

Some also challenged the assumption that Cox's attacker was motivated by anti-EU or anti-immigrant sentiments.

Even English former footballer Matt Le Tissier waded into the debate, by condemning "people using Jo Cox death as a means for political leverage re referendum."

In any case, while the Leave camp still has a substantial lead on Remain, Cox's assassination was certainly one of the factors to convince the stock markets that Britain could stay in the Union after all: for the first time in weeks, the pound has gained in value.