Family of murdered MP Jo Cox meet Barack Obama in the White House

The family of the murdered MP Jo Cox have been given a personal audience with the US president Barack Obama at the White House.

Brendan Cox, the husband of the former Batley and Spen MP, announced the visit together with the couple's two young children in a tweet which said that they had discussed the problem of extremism.

A White House official told the Guardian that the visit came about after Obama extended Mr Cox a personal invitation in a call of condolence after the MP's death.

“The president reminded Mr Cox and his children that the selfless service to others of their late mother had made the world a better place, and reaffirmed their shared commitment to carry on the legacy of her work.”

Jo Cox was killed in June this year Credit: PA

Mrs Cox was shot and stabbed as she left a surgery meeting for constituents in Birstall on June 16.

Her husband has continued to campaign in her name against extremism following her death.

Yesterday it was announced that former Coronation Street and Emmerdale actress Tracy Brabin has been selected as the Labour candidate to replace Mrs Cox in an upcoming by-election.