London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 16, 2026

Keir Starmer mobbing caused job doubts - Jo Cox sister

Keir Starmer mobbing caused job doubts - Jo Cox sister

The sister of murdered MP Jo Cox has said watching Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer mobbed by protesters caused her to question why she entered politics.

Kim Leadbeater, who holds Ms Cox's Batley and Spen seat, said the scenes near Parliament were challenging on a "personal, human level".

The Labour MP warned the Prime Minister Boris Johnson was "stoking anger".

Mr Johnson has branded behaviour directed at Sir Keir on Monday afternoon "completely unacceptable".

He has been criticised for falsely claiming that Sir Keir, a former director of public prosecutions, personally failed to launch proceedings against serial sex abuser Jimmy Savile.

Sir Keir was surrounded on Monday by a group heard shouting "traitor" and criticising his record on Covid, along with some cries of "Jimmy Savile".

Speaking to BBC Woman's Hour, Ms Leadbeater said she debated whether to speak out on the issue with her family on Monday night as it leads to "pile-ons on social media".

"It totally throws you because it brings back memories of what happened to us as a family, it makes me question why I'm doing this job," she said.

"On a really personal, human level it's really challenging".

Brendan Cox, Jo Cox's widower, said: "I think the people that are directly responsible for what happened yesterday were the people that did it.

"However, it's also true that if you inject poison into politics, that has a whole set of unintended consequences that people will react to in different ways and at times that can lead over into intimidation, it can lead over to violence, it can lead over into extremism," he told the Today programme.

Ms Leadbeater warned of "a culture of toxicity, aggression and lies" in politics at present, adding: "We need good, strong women in politics, why would you look at what's going on and think you'd want to put yourself forward to be part of that."

At least seven Tory MPs have linked Monday's scenes to Mr Johnson's remark, which was made in the Houses of Commons in response to Sir Keir's criticisms following the publication of Sue Gray's abridged report into Downing Street lockdown parties.

Mr Johnson has refused to apologise but has rowed back on his comment, insisting he was not attacking Sir Keir's "personal record".

A No 10 source told the BBC it was unreasonable to suggest that what happened "was Boris's fault and not the mob's fault".


Watch the moment protesters surround Labour leader Keir Starmer


Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Spain in Ecstasy: "We Feel Unbeatable, We Taught the Whole World a Lesson"
Spain and UK Dismantle Gibraltar Border Following Landmark Schengen Integration Treaty
Church of England Rejects Plan to Rewild Thirty Percent of Land by 2030
UK Parliament Examines Future of Gaelic Broadcasting in Scotland
Thames Water Faces Criticism Over Four Million Pounds in Bonus Payments
South East Water Crisis Puts UK Water Regulation Under Renewed Scrutiny
UK Report Highlights Racial Inequality in Homelessness Support Services
UK Government Defends Proposed Social Media Curfew for Teenagers Despite Criticism
Reform UK Gains Recognition as Major Political Party in New Polling
Labour Party Faces Internal Divisions Over Gaza Policy and Asylum Reform
Experts Warn UK Housing and Transport Infrastructure Is Unprepared for Rising Extreme Heat
UK Human Rights Committee Begins Review of Immigration and Asylum Bill
UK Parliament Launches Inquiry Into Declining High Streets Across England
Bank of England Governor Warns of Growing AI Risks to Global Financial Security
UK Public Finance Institutions Mobilize Fifty Billion Pounds to Support Growth and Jobs
UK Parliament Opens Inquiry Into Long-Term Strategy Toward Russia
UK-India Trade Agreement Takes Effect With Zero-Duty Access for Nearly All Indian Exports
Forget Tinder: The Surprising Platform Where People Find Love
UK Government Faces Growing Debate Over Local Control of Immigration Enforcement
UK Biodiversity Forum Highlights Business Need to Protect Natural Environment
UK Parliament to Consider Workplace Temperature Limits Amid Climate Concerns
UK Parliament Considers Independent Immigration Appeals Authority Proposal
BBC Charter Renewal Scrutiny Intensifies as Parliament Reviews Broadcaster’s Future
Parliament Reviews Future of UK Maternity and Neonatal Care Services
UK-India Trade Accelerator Launched to Help Smaller Firms Expand Into Indian Market
UK Business Leaders Meet in Edinburgh to Address Economic Risks From Biodiversity Loss
UK Parliament Prepares for Sir Keir Starmer’s Final Prime Minister’s Questions Before Leadership Transition
Green Party-Led Lewisham Council Moves Against Cooperation With Home Office Immigration Raids
UK Government Faces Parliamentary Pressure Over Capita Contracts in Shared Services Programme
UK Economy Expected to See Modest Growth as OECD Highlights Fiscal and Global Risks
Public Accounts Committee Warns UK Government’s Four Point Three Billion Pound Shared Services Plan Risks Failure
EU and UK Sign Agreement Removing Gibraltar Border Controls After Years of Post-Brexit Uncertainty
OECD Warns UK Must Maintain Fiscal Discipline as Andy Burnham Prepares to Become Prime Minister
UK-India Free Trade Agreement Enters Into Force as Businesses Seek New Growth Opportunities
Harvard Astrophysicist to Lead U.S. Scientific Advisory on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena
On the Island That Did Not Yield to Trump, There Is No Electricity, and 10 Million Live in Darkness
Emergency Sirens Activated Across Bahrain as Interior Ministry Issues Shelter Directives
Key Trends to Watch
United Nations Expert Calls for Full Implementation of Supreme Court Ruling on Legal Definition of Sex
Industry Coalition Urges Labour Lawmakers to Back Continued North Sea Oil and Gas Production
Parliamentary Committee Calls for Tougher Restrictions on Unhealthy Food Advertising
Government Expands Awaab's Law to Cover Heat and Additional Housing Hazards
Energy Regulator Opens Independent Investigation Into National Grid Operator
United Kingdom and European Union Sign Landmark Gibraltar Border Agreement
Chancellor Unveils Financial Services Reform and Artificial Intelligence Strategy at Mansion House
Counterterrorism Police Take Over Investigation Into Killing of Former Minister Ann Widdecombe
Beer Industry Warns UK Rules Could Limit Growth of Alcohol-Free Market
Home Office Faces Legal Challenges Over Asylum Seeker Accommodation Closures
UK Heatwaves Linked to More Than Two Thousand Seven Hundred Deaths as Climate Debate Intensifies
Home Secretary Faces Pressure Over Political Security After Ann Widdecombe Murder Investigation
×