President Obama spoke by phone to Brendan Cox, the husband of MP Jo Cox who was killed in a street attack on Thursday, it has been revealed.

The White House said Mr Obama offered his ‘sincere condolences’ on behalf of the American people in the phone call from Air Force One on Friday.

“The president noted that the world is a better place because of her selfless service to others, and that there can be no justification for this heinous crime, which robbed a family, a community, and a nation of a dedicated wife, mother and public servant,” a White House statement said.