NEO-NAZI VIDEO THREAT TO MSP
Defiant Sarwar: Extremists won’t intimidate me
ANAS Sarwar has been targeted by far-right extremists with links to neo-Nazi terrorists.
The Record can reveal that the Labour MSP received a sinister message, including material from the banned National Action group, after
speaking out about his experiences of racism. Police took the threat so seriously that officers visited his office yesterday and there are plans to review his security arrangements.
The email to Sarwar included a propaganda video from National Action and was sent from an account linked to an outfit calling themselves New British Union (NBU) – a reference to Oswald Mosley’s infamous British Union of Fascists.
It also included the ominous message: “Not one step back. We are everywhere.” It was sent from an email address referencing the NBU and was signed by “Alexander”.
National Action were banned by the UK Government in December 2016 as a proscribed terror group. The Record understands prominent figures in the NBU were previously involved with National Action. Last night, Sarwar pledged not to be intimidated by the thugs. He said: “I have been overwhelmed by the messages of support and solidarity in the last few weeks. Sadly, I have also received some highly troubling communications.
“But all these people have inadvertently done is strengthen my resolve to campaign on the issue of everyday racism and Islamophobia and to deliver positive change.
“There are many who seek to divide our communities, to use perceived difference to build fear and resentment. Those that seek to divide must never be allowed to succeed.”
The latest development comes months after several Scottish aliases of National Action were also banned.
Members of poisonous far-right race hate groups calling themselves Scottish Dawn or National Socialist Anti-Capitalist Action – NS131 – now face up to 10 years in prison.
Both were identified as alternative names for National Action after an undercover Record probe revealed the links between the groups. National Action were banned in December 2016 following an assessment that they were “concerned in terrorism.”
The order following our probe means they also cannot operate as Scottish Dawn or NS131.
National Action’s online propaganda material – including the video sent to Sarwar – featured violent imagery and language. It appeared to encourage followers to take part in copycat versions of the homophobic attack on the Pulse nightclub in Orlando and the brutal murder of Labour MP Jo Cox.
Our seven-month probe into the race-hate groups – undertaken in conjunction with investigative website The Ferret – revealed that National Action members were still operating in Scotland after the
ban by using the new names. We secretly filmed Scottish Dawn activist Ruaidhri McKim admitting links to National Action.
The findings of our investigation prompted immediate calls for the UK Government to ban Scottish Dawn.
We filmed two members of the group after setting up a meeting in a pub following email conversations.
The men used the false names Fraser and John to protect their real identities. However, we identified “Fraser” as McKim though the mobile phone number he provided. But it is clear that other far-right groups are still operating in Scotland under different names.
The vile email to Sarwar – which was sent on Friday – came after he spoke out about his experiences of racism in a bid to tackle bigotry.
He said the Labour group leader at South Lanarkshire Council told him he could not support his bid to lead Scottish Labour during last year’s campaign as “Scotland wouldn’t vote for a brown Muslim Paki”.
Scottish Labour later confirmed councillor Davie McLachlan – who denies the allegation – had been suspended by the party pending an investigation.
Sarwar subsequently outlined a series of proposals to tackle “everyday racism and Islamophobia” across Scotland.
And he called on the Scottish Government to take action on black, Asian, and minority ethnic representation in the public-sector workforce.
He also called for a review of the legal framework surrounding racist and Islamophobic abuse on social media.
The Scottish Government said they would consider the proposals and Sarwar has won the personal support of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Police Scotland last night confirmed they are investigating the threatening email to Sarwar.
All they have done is strengthen my resolve
ANAS SARWAR