Obama condemns 'heinous murder' of British MP

Jo Cox was brutally killed by a man described as a far-right loner

US President Barack Obama has spoken with the husband of British MP Jo Cox, who was brutally killed by a man described as a far-right loner, and condemned the "heinous crime" while offering condolences to him.

Obama telephoned Brendan Cox yesterday from Air Force One, the White House said.

"President Obama offered his sincere condolences on behalf of the American people to Mr Cox and his two young children, as well as to her friends, colleagues, and constituents," it said.

"The President noted that the world is a better place because of her selfless service to others and that there can be no justification for this heinous crime which robbed a family, a community and a nation of a dedicated wife, mother, and public servant," the White House said in a readout of the call.

41-year-old Cox, who was attacked on Thursday after a meeting with her constituents in Birstall, UK, was shot twice before falling to the ground where she was kicked and stabbed repeatedly.

She lay bleeding on the pavement by the time emergency services arrived.

Witnesses say she was shot a third time in the face and the suspect was trying to reload his antique-style weapon when another man tackled him.

The man suffered minor injuries and the suspect, who is said to have lunged at others who attempted to intervene, walked away from the scene shortly before being arrested.