Obama offers sympathies to husband of slain UK lawmaker

WASHINGTON — President Obama called the husband of the British member of parliament killed Thursday in a shooting and stabbing attack, telling him that the world is a better place because of her.

The phone call with Brendan Cox, widower of British lawmaker Jo Cox, happened while Obama traveled to New Mexico aboard Air Force One Friday.

"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," according to a White House summary of the call.

Cox, a 41-year-old Labour Party M.P. representing Batley and Spen, championed the cause of migrants and was an advocate for the United Kingdom to remain in the European Union in a contentious "Brexit" vote this month. She was killed after meeting with constituents in Birstall by a man who police said shouted, "Britain First" before stabbing and shooting her on the street.

She had two children, aged 3 and 5.

White House deputy press secretary Jennifer Friedman said the White House sent "sincere and heartfelt condolences" to Cox's family and loved ones, but referred questions about the political motivations behind the attack to U.K. authorities.