An Old Bailey jury took just over 90 minutes to convict loner Neo-Nazi Thomas Mair, who gunned down Labour MP Jo Cox while shouting “Britain first”, of what was described in court as an act of “sheer brutality and cowardice”.

He has given a whole–of–life sentence and will die in jail.

Mair murdered mother of two and Remain campaigner Cox, 41, as she arrived for a constituency surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire, a week before the EU referendum.

Court artists’ sketch of Thomas Mair. Elizabeth Cook/PA

The 53-year-old white supremacist, who gave no evidence in his defence, shouted “Britain first” as he fired three shots at his MP and stabbed her 15 times.

But the judge said the true “patriot” was Mrs Cox, not Mair.

He gave no reaction as he was convicted on all counts on Wednesday in London, but before sentencing asked to speak to the courtroom. The judge declined, saying he’d already had an opportunity.

Prosecutors said Mair was motivated by hate and his crimes were “nothing less than acts of terrorism”.

The court heard he was obsessed with Adolf Hitler, and Nazi–related material was found in a raid of his home.

The slow-burning hatred that led Thomas Mair to murder Jo Cox https://t.co/kzIBIw1hzx

— Marko Attila Hoare (@markoah) November 23, 2016

The MP’s family sat in silence in the packed courtroom as the verdicts were delivered.

Jo Cox’s widower Brendan speaking outside the Old Bailey after the guilty verdict. Photo: Philip Toscano/PA

Her husband Brendan Cox then read a victim impact statement, telling Mair he pitied him because his life was devoid of love and consumed by hatred.

Later, speaking outside the court, he said the family would not respond to hatred with hatred.

Mair also attacked 78 year old Bernard Kenny, who tried to stop the attack on Mrs Cox.  The judge said he had acted “instinctively and courageously” to try to save her and deserved the highest praise.

The case also sparked debate over what role right–wing newspapers have played over the rise of extremism.

The Yorkshire Evening Post today however told its readers it wouldn’t be putting a picture of the killer’s face on the front page, saying he is not important and has no power.

“Good riddance,” said the paper.

“Instead of focusing on the hatred that caused Jo’s death, we choose to focus on the ‘outpouring of love’ that followed it. Instead of carrying the image of a murderer on our front page we choose to feature a picture of Jo shining, happy and radiant on her wedding day.”

Jo Cox's murderer, Thomas Mair, was a Daily Express reader. Express, Mail, Sun should be in the dock alongside Mair today. pic.twitter.com/DPPe7pzKZK

— Alan 🇩🇰🇬🇧🇪🇺 (@alan_firth_) November 14, 2016

– with Emily Pennink of AAP and agencies