London: Bitter clashes over the "xenophobic" pro-Brexit campaign have coincided with a day of emotional tributes in parliament for murdered Labour MP Jo Cox.

One Labour MP accused the Brexiters of "lighting a fuse" of violence and anger in Britain.

With three days to go until Britain votes on its European Union membership, a white rose and a red rose sat in the place of Mrs Cox in Westminster as a special session of parliament paid tribute to her life and legacy.

Politics is traditionally set aside for such tributes.

However Mrs Cox's close friend, the Labour MP Stephen Kinnock, linked her death to her politics – including her support for the Remain cause.

"Jo was assassinated because of what was and because of what she stood for," Mr Kinnock, who shared an office with Mrs Cox, said.

"I can only imagine Jo's reaction had she seen the poster unveiled only hours before her death. A poster on the streets of Britain that demonised hundreds of desperate refugees including hungry terrified children fleeing from the terror of ISIS and from Russian bombs."

He was referring to a pro-Leave poster unveiled last Thursday by UKIP leader Nigel Farage, which bore the slogan "Breaking Point" over a photograph of Syrian and Afghan refugees crossing to Slovenia from Croatia in October last year.

The poster attracted criticism even before Mrs Cox's death became front page news, as online observers noticed its startling resemblance to a scene in a Nazi propaganda film.

Mr Kinnock said Mrs Cox "would have responded with outrage and with a robust rejection of the calculated narrative of cynicism, division and despair that it represents. Because Jo understood that rhetoric has consequences. When insecurity, fear and anger are used to light a fuse then an explosion is inevitable."

Politics of division and fear and incendiary slogans had twisted patriotism into loathing, he said.

Mr Farage defended UKIP's poster on Monday, saying the "picture was real" and "reflects the truth of what's going on", and was on the front pages of the national press last year – though he conceded it was "unfortunate timing" that it was released the same day as the "terrible, tragic" killing of Mrs Cox.

On Monday, leading Conservative Baroness Warsi, a former foreign office minister, said the poster had been the final straw that persuaded her to switch from the Leave to the Remain camp.

"We cannot just carry on irresponsibly running divisive campaigns and xenophobic campaigns and campaigns that create hatred in our communities," she said.

"What we have consistently heard in the last two months is that the Turks are coming and the terrorists are coming and the Syrians are coming and the refugees are coming and the Muslims are coming and it is not the kind of campaign that we should be running."

The poster has also been criticised by Leave campaigner, justice secretary Michael Gove, who said he shuddered when he saw it.

However Mr Farage accused Mr Gove of using similar material.

"(Mr) Gove had better look at his own posters, pictures of Abu Hamza, warnings about terrorists and murderers coming into Britain at free will," he said.

A Yorkshire man with reported links to right-wing extremists has been charged with the murder of Mrs Cox.

Thomas Mair, 52, gave his name in court on Saturday as "death to traitors, freedom for Britain". He appeared in court again on Monday at the Old Bailey, this time saying "yes I am" when asked if he was Thomas Mair.

Mrs Cox' husband Brendan and their two children were in the public gallery at Westminster to hear the MPs' tributes, along with her parents and other family members.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said "we have lost one of our own and society as a whole has lost one of our very best", calling for "a kinder and gentler politics.

Politicians had a responsibility not to "whip up hatred or sow division", he said.

Prime minister David Cameron said Mrs Cox was an "extraordinary colleague and friend", a loving, passionate and progressive politician "who epitomised the best of humanity and proved so often the power of politics to make the world a better place."

Labour MP for Leeds Rachel Reeves said it now fell on other politicians' shoulders to "combat and guard against hatred, intolerance and injustice".

The session finished with a rare standing ovation, and MPs filed out of the chamber, some in tears.