11 ‘members of banned UK neo-Nazi group’ held
ELEVEN men were last night being quizzed on suspicion of supporting neo-Nazi terrorism.
Aged between 22 and 35, they are suspected of being members of banned far-Right group National Action.
Six of them were also being questioned about preparing acts of terrorism and five are suspected of funding terrorism.
The organisation, linked to the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox, was described by the Home Office as ‘virulently racist, antiSemitic and homophobic’.
Counter-terrorism officers swooped on six people from North-West England, two from South Wales, one from Wiltshire and two from West Yorkshire.
One of two properties raided in Warrington is understood to have been the home of National Action’s de facto leader Christopher Lythgoe, 31.
Police cars and uniformed officers remained outside the house through the day. Police said a 31-year- old from Warrington had been arrested.
National Action became the first extreme Right-wing group to be banned under terrorism laws last December. It was proscribed under powers outlawing the glorification of terrorism – meaning it is a crime, punishable by ten years in prison, to be a member or a supporter.
Earlier this month, three men – including two British soldiers – were charged under anti-terror laws with being members of National Action.
Detective Chief Superintendent Martin Snowden, the head of counter-terrorism policing in North-East England, said: ‘Those who promote extreme right-wing views are looking to divide our communities and spread hatred. Those who do so must be brought to justice.’
National Action had links to Thomas Mair, the 54-year- old white supremacist convicted of murdering MP Mrs Cox outside her constituency surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire, in June 2016.
He received a whole-life sentence. His only statement given in court was ‘Death to traitors, freedom for Britain’, the slogan on National Action’s former website.
After the killing, the group posted vile messages online including, ‘Our thoughts go out to Thomas Mair’ and ‘Don’t let this man’s sacrifice go in vain.’
Home Secretary Amber Rudd banned the group after an assessment that it was ‘concerned in terrorism’ before the trial.
‘Divide communities and spread hatred’