Neo-nazis ‘a bigger threat than jihadis’
Far-Right referrals to anti-terror scheme outstrip Islamists
FAR-RIGHT radicals are posing a threat to Scotland, as the number of people at risk of launching fascist terror attacks almost doubled in the past year.
A major drive to tackle Rightwing extremism saw 39 Scots referred to the UK’s anti-radicalisation programme, Prevent, in 2019 – up from 23 in 2018.
But the number of people passed to the service for ties to international jihadist groups such as Islamic State or Al Qaeda fell from 38 to 25.
The statistics follow a spate of extreme Right-wing activity, which has resulted in Scots being jailed under terror laws.
Last October, 43-year-old David Dudgeon, from East Lothian, was jailed for two years after admitting possessing manuals and video files on the production of chemical and biological weapons.
In 2018, white supremacist Connor Ward, 25, from Banff, was jailed for life after planning terrorism attacks on Scottish mosques. He was found with bomb-making equipment, a list of mosque addresses, an arms cache and hundreds of ball bearings and rocket tubes, which could have been used in pipe bombs and missile launchers.
Experts last night blamed the internet for helping to spread extremist hate and called on the
Scottish Government to take Right-wing radicalisation seriously. Fiyaz Mughal, founder and director of counter-extremism organisation Faith Matters, said: ‘I met Scottish Government officials five years ago and explained that anti-Muslim far-Right activity would affect them, but they shrugged this off, saying that Scotland was exceptional to England because of its inclusive nature.
‘That may be the case but it does not stop vulnerable individuals absorbing ideologies, whether that be far-Right, Islamist or far-Left in nature.’
People are referred to the Government anti-radicalisation strategy if they are thought to be at risk of taking on ‘violent extremist narratives’ which could draw them into terrorism. The police, prison service and even schools make referrals.
Prevent uses specialised support such as mentors who challenge participants’ ideologies.
Police Scotland data shows the number of people flagged up rose from 104 in 2018 to 126. Of those, 112 were men and 14 were women. There were 28 under-15s directed to the scheme, and 38 aged 15 to 20.
Last year, support was provided in almost seven out of ten cases, while seven cases are ongoing.
Deputy Chief Constable for Crime and Operations, Malcolm Graham, said: ‘The number of Prevent referrals in Scotland
‘The Government shrugged off threat’ ‘We’re safeguarding vulnerable individuals’
has increased, however, this is not unexpected given the increase of awareness and training in this area.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We are committed to building communities which reject divisive, hateful ideology in all its forms.
‘A range of sectors across Scotland play a key role in safeguarding vulnerable individuals from being drawn into terrorism through their work supporting the Prevent strategy.’