‘Cox’s murder a wake-up call against hate speech’ – Muscat

The murder of British MP Jo Cox was a “wake-up call” for politicians to distance themselves from hate speech, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said.

“Politicians must be prudent in our use of language. This doesn’t mean that we cannot be forceful in our arguments, but we mustn’t allow our arguments to spread hatred,” he said. “I disagree with the Opposition leader on several issues but I don’t hate him.”

He was speaking in Parliament in reaction to last week’s murder of British Labour MP Jo Cox, by a 52-year old man who was heard shouting “put Britain first” before and after he pulled the trigger.

Both sides of the House paid their respects through a minute of silence.

Muscat claimed that Cox’s murderer was influenced by “extremist” elements in the United Kingdom, ostensibly referring to far-right political parties.

“Once he killed Cox, these elements immediately disassociated themselves from the killing, but by then it was far too late because she had already been killed, he said.

He said that the identity of the alleged murderer, Thomas Mair, put to bed arguments linking extremism with specific religions and races.

“Her killer was an Englishman born and raised in Yorkshire, which clearly shows that terrorism is not exclusive to any race or religion.”

Earlier, PN deputy leader Mario de Marco similarly called for the abolishment of hatred from Malta.

“It is a shame to see such hatred against people of different races, religious beliefs and political colours,” he said. “There should not be any room for hatred in this country.

“Lets learn from this bad experience, and work together to abolish hate and strive towards an inclusive society.”