Man in court over British MP murder

Britain is still shocked by the murder of MP Jo Cox, as her alleged killer prepares to face court for the first time.

Members of the public look at flowers and tributes in Parliament Square, London, after Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death in the street. (PA) Source: Press Association

Police have charged a 52-year-old man with the murder of British MP Jo Cox, following an attack that has brought campaigning for next week's referendum on European Union membership to a standstill.

Thomas Mair is charged with killing Cox, 41, a member of the Labour Party and supporter of Britain staying in the EU, who was shot and stabbed to death in the street in her own electoral district in northern England on Thursday.

A 77-year-old man who intervened to try to protect Cox remains in hospital in a stable condition after suffering a serious injury to his abdomen.

Labour MP Jo Cox. Source: AAP

Mair will appear at London's Westminster Magistrates Court on Saturday charged with murder, causing grievous bodily harm and offences related to possession of a firearm.

Cox's killing has shocked the nation, uniting politicians in horror and leading to the suspension of hostilities in what had become increasingly bitter and ugly campaigning ahead of the June 23 referendum on the EU.

On Friday, Prime Minister David Cameron joined Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in laying flowers in Birstall.

"It is a vile act that has killed her," Corbyn said.

Cameron has agreed to recall parliament on Monday to allow tributes to the popular lawmaker, who had only been elected to parliament in 2015.

Attacks of any nature on public figures in Britain are rare.

Leaders across Europe and the world have expressed shock at the killing of Cox, a Cambridge University graduate and former charity worker whose job took her to countries such as Afghanistan and Darfur.

A fund set up in her honour had raised more than STG140,000 ($A272,055) for charities she supported in six hours.