Neo-Nazi group Patriotic Alternative target peaceful trade union campaigners in shocking attacks
A trade union group branded "terrorists" by far-right extremists have vowed they won't be bullied into silence.
Clydebank Trades Union Council has suffered verbal abuse from "thuggish" individuals identifying themselves as members of the fascist group Patriotic Alternative.
The white nationalists have been making their presence felt in the West Dunbartonshire town in recent weeks by hanging "racist" banners and placards from a council-owned bandstand. Following multiple complaints from members of the public the far-rightgroup has since switched to leafleting outside the Clyde shopping centre.
But that has since brought them into contact with the Clydebank TUC, which holds a regular weekly stall in the town centre promoting workers' rights.
A video uploaded to YouTube last week shows a member of Patriotic Alternative shouting "stop the boats" while the trade unionists set up their stall, as well as accusing them of being members of "the communist party". The clip is entitled "left wing terrorist inClydebank trades council", language that has alarmed members of the TUC.Tam Morrison, the group's secretary, told the Record his members were being targeted by "nasty people" - but it would not stop them setting their stall out today as usual. He said: "Clydebank TUC won't be intimidated by the thuggish behaviour of fascist outfit Patriotic Alternative who are trying to divide the local community with racist hatred.
"They support Reform, which is a PLC owned and supported by multi-millionaires who have nothing in common with ordinary folk. The real reason for cuts in services and lack of housing is down to austerity implemented by successive governments, not immigrants who keep our NHS and care services going. Only a united fight back by the trade unions and communities will change this."
Anas Sarwar, who has previously been the subject of Patriotic Alternative attacks, said trade unionists should not expect harassment from "bigots".
The Scottish Labour leader told the Record: "The poison of the far-right has no place in our politics or society. Trade unionists - who actually stand up for working people - should not be harassed by far-right bigots who want to spread their bile. Time and time again the people of Scotland have rejected the far-right - I am sure they will do so again."
It comes after Patriotic Alternative members were last month escorted from West Dunbartonshire Council headquarters after disrupting the last full council meeting ahead of the summer recess. A motion was presented to elected members by councillor Jim Bollan urging them to condemn the "racist" banners, flyers and posters that had been displayed at the Clydebank bandstand.
The motion asked the council to authorise officials to remove any such items attached to the council-owned bandstand that don't have prior written consent from West Dunbartonshire Council.
But as Bollan tried to speak he was interrupted by chanting from the public gallery from four protesters who kept repeating 'Scotland is for Scots'.
The councillor later continued: "The overt racist posters being displayed by Patriotic Alternative in Clydebank could be a precursor to the racist violent behaviour we are seeing in Ireland at the moment where non-whites are having their homes fire bombed because of the colour of their skin.
"Groups like Patriotic Alternative are cheerleaders for Reform, which is a racist party and use the fact that the two larger political parties are not delivering for the policies needed by our working-class communities.
That void is being used by extremists to blame refugees and asylum seekers as a divide and conquer tactic, commonly used by racists. By supporting this motion, West Dunbartonshire Council will be sending a clear message that we are anti racist and inclusive of all races.
"Before I came into this meeting, I noticed some of the banners which are outside which are overtly racist. It is unacceptable in West Dunbartonshire."
The Record previously revealed how Patriotic Alternative tried to influence the recent Hamilton and Stonehouse by-election by encouraging locals to vote for Reform UK.
One banner erected in Stonehouse tried to bait anti-racism campaigner Sarwar: 'Scotland too white Anas?' Another banner explained the political purpose of the trip: 'Vote Reform.'
A leaflet handed out to passers-by stated: 'This flyer is brought to you by Patriotic Alternative (PA), a proud nationalist community group. We champion the rights of the native British - the English, Scottish and Welsh - stewards of our homeland, the British Isles.'
They added: 'We have concerns about the future of our nation and do not believe that successive governments have prioritised the interests of the native British.'
A section marked 'advocating for our own ethnic group' also said PA wanted to ensure 'indigenous Brits' are not treated as 'second class citizens'.
The Record also revealed how a Scottish far-right influencer was trying to orchestrate a mass infiltration of extremists into Reform UK. Conspiracy theorist David Clew hoped to piggyback on the success of Nigel Farage's anti-immigration party by seeking to get his own allies elected to the Scottish Parliament and councils.
Clews joined forces with the extremist Patriotic Alternative group, devising a 'declaration of intent' with its leader Mark Collett – a notorious neo-Nazi and former BNP official.
A statement by the pair even offers 'security' and 'on the ground support' to Reform to counter any 'violent antisocial elements' that might be encountered.
A Reform UK spokesman previously said: 'No one will infiltrate our party or our politics. Our electoral contract is there for all to see and we will have no truck with such inappropriate people."
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