Labour MP Jo Cox shot in Birstall

It's not that difficult to find out what happens online. Most people don't seem to look. People don't act in a vacuum. ISIS knows that and so do other extremist groups. The difference is that when ISIS encourage their followers to commit atrocities, people wring their hands in despair. Whenever other people are influenced in the same way, people start making excuses, such as mental illness or acting alone, or defending people's right to free speech.

Who knows what what goes on online, and in people's lives.

So much hatred

The 'lone wolf' theory has been debunked in many studies. People might not actually belong to an organisation, but that doesn't mean that they act without a context. These days they don't have to have physical contact or receive a physical newsletter. There is an increasing amount of hatred and bile spouted online and it's almost inevitable that inadequate loners will be tipped over the edge. They are, after all, doing what their online 'heroes' advocate. The people responsible for these vile sites and anybody else who spouts hate speech is responsible when one of their invisible followers goes the whole way. The whole lot of them are 'sorry individuals'.

Seems it might have been a single sick-minded saddo. Probably nothing to do with any organisation. Just a sorry individual.

I think all right minded people of whatever persuasion feel very angry about this as it is such a betrayal of everything decent people in the UK hold dear. As a long standing member of the Labour Party I feel the intense pain evident in all who speak of her - she was one of our own and will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with her family and especially her husband and children.

I feel angry too. Can't control how I feel. I don't feel hatred though. But I am very angry that this could have happened.

I feel angry.

Yes gg you are of course right.

Gracesgran,

I know what you mean, which is why I'm holding back from what I really think. I have only posted what has been in the news. The links to the extremist groups are real - they're still there online in their originals. I feel very strongly about the responsibility of anybody spouting hatred.

You're right. Let's see if anything else is revealed.

I agree Gracesgran
Our thoughts should be with her husband, children and other family.

The investigations will, presumably, find our his motives. In the meantime, I think it would be best not to speculate.

Good!

I suspect the finding will be that he wasn't a member of the group. However, these groups have a much wider online presence than their membership - and they know it.

Dylann Roof wasn't an actual member of any white supremacist groups, but his computer showed that he regularly visited such group's websites and made online contributions. No group has admitted knowing about Anders Breivik, but he certainly absorbed much of their propaganda.

Let's not turn this on its head. Enough for today that we have lost a bright star. We will soon know whether there is anything behind it; at the moment it is just hearsay. I don't mean to sound pompous but it would be sad to get angry when we have just seen what anger can do.

Britain First has said this is just hear say and he could have said - it's time to put Britain first , this was said by the former BNP councillor !

His shouting that slogan will have a contrary effect, it will set people against an organisation which contains such a violent person.

A number of witnesses reported that he said that. Yes, Britain First is nationalist group. It's leader, Paul Golding, was the one who turned his back on Sadiq Khan when the London mayoral election result was announced. He's a former member of the BNP and National Front. Britain First has launched an enquiry. No doubt the finding will be that Tommy Mair (the suspect) was not acting under Britain First's instructions, but it has been revealed that the suspect did have links to the Swinton Circle and Springbok Club, both of which are white supremacist groups, which hated any non-white person and Jews and were passionately against the EU (and anything else vaguely foreign). It's possible he was 'radicalised online'. It's easy enough to Google both of them.

Can only echo what others have sad. A very sad day. Her poor family. She seemed such a power for good and compassion that it is very hard to understand this act.

North Today repeated that the killer shouted Britain First. I didn't know its a nationalist group, but apparently is.

From Nick Robinson's reaction on BBC website:

"There are, though, suggestions that it was political. If that turns out to be true it is a reminder of one other thing too. The need at all times to respect those who disagree with us and to understand that anger, fury and rage are not the same as passion or belief."

I keep thinking about Jo's parents. I know nothing about them - even if they are still alive, but I imagine them as people like us - grandparents who must have been so proud of their lovely daughter who achieved so much in her short life and was so widely respected.

Many of us will have children about Jo's age and small grandchildren and the thought of such a senseless violent death is truly awful.

RIP. Jo cox she was very down to earth I agree Welsh wife don't know what's happening in world so much anger I worry about future generations

Oh no. I've just come in and found out the terrible result of this evil attack. I'm in tears. Poor, poor family. RIP Jo Cox

I am shocked
What has happened is an unspeakable tragedy.

Life is so fragile

My condolences to Jo's Loved ones, Family, Friends and Colleagues

RIP Jo

'Hate doesn't have a creed, race or religion, it is poisonous' - Brendan Cox, the husband of Jo Cox MP

Heartbreaking and shocking. An awful act so sorry for her husband and children