My wife Jo Cox was murdered in her constituency in 2016. The alleged attack on Helen Haines is a punch to the gut | Brendan Cox

Brendan Cox reflects on the alleged attack on Australian MP Helen Haines, drawing parallels with his late wife Jo Cox's murder in 2016.

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Brendan Cox, the husband of late UK MP Jo Cox, has expressed his shock and concern over the alleged attack on Australian MP Helen Haines. Cox, who wrote for The Guardian Australia, drew parallels between Haines' incident and his wife's murder in 2016.

Cox stated that moments like these can either reinforce divisions or remind people of what they stand to lose when hatred and intimidation are allowed to brutalise democracy. He recalled receiving a barrage of messages from friends, similar to when he heard about the alleged attack on former UK MP Ann Widdecombe earlier this year.

Cox's wife, Jo Cox, was murdered in 2016 by a far-right extremist while going about her constituency work in Yorkshire, England. He expressed deep sorrow and despair over Haines' alleged attack, recalling the impact on his family and the country's democracy.

Cox urged Australians to be part of the response to the alleged attack, rather than trying to comfort Haines' family directly. He emphasized the importance of working together to strengthen democracy, regardless of the motivation behind the attack.

Cox reflected on the aftermath of his wife's murder, where he saw extraordinary acts of kindness and solidarity. He encouraged people to come together and celebrate the values represented by Haines, rather than letting an act of hatred have the final word.

Cox's comments serve as a reminder of the importance of unity and solidarity in the face of hatred and intimidation. He hopes that the response to Haines' alleged attack will be similar to the one after his wife's murder, where people came together to celebrate her life and values.