The sister of murdered MP Jo Cox has revealed that she is standing by her sibling’s widower after he admitted to ‘inappropriate’ behaviour amid sex pest claims.
Kim Leadbeater said that although she does not condone any form of sexual harassment, she would support Brendan Cox as the father of her niece and nephew.
Speaking to Good Morning Britain, she said was now serving as an ambassador for the Jo Cox Foundation, which was set up by Brendan in the aftermath of Jo’s death.
Asked if she was still in touch with Brendan, she added: ‘Of course. I will support Brendan as the mother of two children who are growing up without their mother.
Mr Cox (left) denied preying on two women while he was married to murdered MP Jo Cox (pictured right)
Kim Leadbeater (pictured) said that although she does not condone any form of sexual harassment, she would support Brendan Cox as the father of her niece and nephew
‘Do I condone inappropriate behaviour? Absolutely not. Will I support Brendan as the father of two children who had their mother murdered? Of course I will.
‘It would be difficult to criticise me for doing so. It was another very tough week of which we’ve had many. It’s very upsetting, but it’s my focus now to move forward.’
Mr Cox left posts at More in Common and the Jo Cox Foundation last month after admitting ‘inappropriate’ behaviour while he worked at Save the Children in 2015.
Mr Cox denied preying on two women while he was married, but said: ‘I made mistakes and behaved in a way that caused some women hurt and offence.’
It was claimed Mr Cox drunkenly harassed a female employee at Save the Children in London – allegedly holding her by the throat and making a lurid comment.
Labour MP Mrs Cox was fatally shot and stabbed outside her constituency office by a far-right terrorist during the EU Referendum campaign in 2016.
Jo Cox’s husband Brendan Cox, mother Jean Leadbeater, father Gordon Leadbeater and sister Kim Leadbeater react after speaking to the media following the guilty verdict of Thomas Mair
Mr Cox left posts at More in Common and the Jo Cox Foundation last month after admitting ‘inappropriate’ behaviour while he worked at Save the Children in 2015
Speaking about the tragedy, Kim said: ‘I haven’t processed the grief at all. It’s been 20 months. There is so much I haven’t dealt with.
‘Jo was just the nicest person you could meet. You won’t meet anyone who didn’t like her, even if they didn’t agree with her on politics or whatever.
‘I owe it to my sister to make sure Jo’s legacy goes on and that her death was not in vain.
‘Our country is amazing but it can feel divided at times, and there are those who want to exploit those divisions, which is why we as Jo’s family are so determined to take the work of the Foundation forward.
‘My sister Jo inspired so many when she said we had more in common than things that divide us.’
Speaking to Good Morning Britain, she said was now serving as an ambassador for the Jo Cox Foundation, which was set up by Brendan in the aftermath of Jo’s death