Brussels square to be named in honour of murdered MP Jo Cox

Undated handout file photo issued by the Jo Cox Foundation of Jo Cox, who was killed by neo-Nazi terrorist Thomas Mair in her Batley and Spen constituency on June 16 2016. The family of the murdered MP have thanked the public for their support as they pre Credit: Press Association Images

A square in the centre of Brussels will be named in honour of of the late MP Jo Cox.

Cox's relatives will be joined by Jeremy Corbyn at the official inauguration of Place Jo Cox in the Belgian capital on Thursday afternoon.

The city decided to rename the square near the town hall in honour of the former Labour Batley and Spen MP in a bid to have more streets and public places named after women.

The mother-of-two, who was killed by neo-Nazi terrorist Thomas Mair in 2016, is said to have frequented the Ancienne Belgique concert hall which backs onto the square when she worked in Belgium before being elected to Parliament in 2015.

Mayor of Brussels Philippe Close will lead the ceremony alongside Mrs Cox’s sister Kim Leadbeater and parents Gordon and Jean.

Representatives of the Labour Party and the European Parliament are also expected to attend.

Ms Leadbeater said: "My parents and I are very pleased to be attending the inauguration of Jo Cox Square and are honoured that the city of Brussels has chosen to remember Jo in this way.

"She had many happy times living there and made some deep and long-lasting friendships.

"We visited her on several occasions and have many heart-warming memories of seeing how much she enjoyed being there.

"To know that she will have a permanent place where she, and the values she stood by, can be remembered is a comfort and an honour and I would like to thank everyone involved."

Mr Close said the 41-year-old's "investment in women’s rights" and her love for Brussels were "absolutely remarkable."