An alleged white supremacist accused of murdering MP Jo Cox will stay silent at his trial and call no evidence to defend himself, the Old Bailey heard today.
Thomas Mair, 53, shot the 41-year-old three times and stabbed her repeatedly in an ambush outside a constituency surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire, it is said.
The MP for Batley and Spen was killed on June 16, just a week before the EU Referendum following a bitterly fought campaign in which she had been a vocal Remain supporter.
Mair, who denies murder, today decided not to give evidence after the prosecution closed its case against him.
"We call no evidence on behalf of Mr Mair", said Simon Russell Flint QC, defending.
Mr Justice Wilkie asked: "Have you advised your client this is his opportunity to give evidence, and if he declines to do so the jury may draw such inferences as they may feel to be appropriate from his silence? "
Mr Russell Flint replied: "My Lord, he has been so advised."
Jurors have heard Mair had a wealth of books about German military history and Nazi leaders in his house in Birstall.
He has also researched online white supremacy groups, extreme far right organisations, and notorious serial killers, it is said.
Mair also looked up online information on Ms Cox, as well as Ian Gow, an MP murdered by the IRA, and former foreign secretary William Hague.
He is accused of attacking Ms Mair just before 1pm on June 16 as she arrived at Birstall Library.
It is said he repeated "Britain First" as he attacked, fending off the efforts of Ms Cox's staff and pensioner Bernard Kenny to intervene.
Jurors heard today Mair gave his name as "death to traitors, freedom for Britain" when he first appeared in court, but has since confirmed his real name.
Stephen Kinnock MP, a close friend of Ms Cox, said in a statement she had landed her "dream job" when first elected last year.
He described her as "incredibly well liked and popular", adding she was an internationalist who "saw the world as actually being very small".
Mair, of Lowood Road, Birstall, denies murder, causing grievous bodily harm, possession of a firearm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon.
The trial continues.
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