Latest news with #neo-nazi
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
'Stomach turning racist' banners appear at new Clydebank location
Members of Clydebank Trade Union Council (CTUC) say they worry that "inflamed political tension" in the area could be dividing communities after they were described as "left-wing terrorists" by a local group. The group of campaigners, with links to neo-nazi organisation Patriotic Alternative, have begun campaigning on the bridge over the Forth and Clyde Canal after a recent council motion declared they could not hang their banners on the bandstand any more. READ NEXT: OAP was found dead in Glasgow care home car park after escaping READ NEXT: Thug with 36 previous convictions almost killed man with '4 to 5 inches' knife Members of the Clydebank Trade Union Council at the shopping centre. (Image: Newsquest) The banners, which have slogans such as "secure our borders" and "migrants adored, pensioners ignored", have been described as stomach-turning by local politicians. Tam Morrison, CTUC secretary, said: "It's a fascist organisation. They take umbrage at getting thrown off the bandstand and blame us for that. "They were over in the bandstand, and there were a number of complaints made to the police about their offensive banners, which you could argue they're not overtly racist, but they are certainly dog whistling, and it's quite concerning given what's happening down south, and the riots in Ireland as well. "We've seen what's happening in other parts of the country where that inflames tension. It's causing division among local communities." Banners previously placed on the Clydebank bandstand. (Image: Sourced) Councillor Sophie Traynor (left) and Cllr Gordon Scanlan. (Image: Newsquest) Local councillors Sophie Traynor and Gordon Scanlan visited the bridge at the Clyde Shopping Centre to observe the group as they campaign. Cllr Scanlan, leader for the SNP group at West Dunbartonshire Council, said: "These individuals said Scotland for Scots, and I'm here to tell them Scotland's not for Scots, it's for everyone, regardless of your background or where you've come from. "The banners, quite frankly, are turning my stomach. I'm a resident here, and I pass them regularly. "They make me fear for what someone who's come from another country will think, it makes me worry that it's causing them fear and alarm. "There's a strict balance between free speech, where people need to be allowed to express their political views, and that's so important in democracy, but they can't border on being offensive or harmful. "It's a very scary situation. I think if these sorts of views are allowed to become acceptable in the mainstream, I think we move to a very dangerous place." Councillor Sophie Traynor, for the Clydebank Central ward, says she has contacted the local police force and Scottish Canals, who own the bridge, to make them aware of the situation. She said: 'It feels very unwelcoming. 'At one point, they were taking up the whole bridge with their banner and blocking the way for people who were just going about their general daily life. 'They're doing their shopping, they're just meeting their friends, and yet they're facing this all the time. 'It's just a very unwelcome situation and I do think that there will be a lot of people who are concerned, especially if they're ethnic minorities themselves.' The local police force says they have determined that the banners do not break hate crime regulations and are therefore not a criminal offence. Scottish Canals were contacted for comment.
The Herald Scotland
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Far-right activists making 'mockery' of council, says trade union
Following concern that the group congregating there are "spreading far-right, neo-nazi and white nationalist" agenda in the town, Jim Bollan of West Dunbartonshire Community Party presented a motion to the council urging the local authority to take down all banners, posters, flags, flyers and photos at the bandstand. The motion was agreed upon unanimously. However, two weeks later, it is understood that the banners remain in place. Clydebank TUC secretary Tam Morrison claims the lack of action is making a 'weekly mockery' of the local authority. He said: 'These fascists are making a weekly mockery of every single councillor that backed the motion. 'The council have been good in saying they'll stand up to racism, well, now's their chance. 'Enforce the decision, take these hate posters down and get them in the trash where they belong.' West Dunbartonshire Council said it monitors the location daily to ensure any unauthorised displays are removed. It is understood that the group which have links to Patriotic Alternative congregate at the Bandstand every Wednesday morning. Pictures supplied to the Clydebank Post show the banners at the stand on the morning of Wednesday, June 25 and July 2. Banners at the Bandstand on Wednesday, June 25. (Image: Supplied) Picture of the banners on the Bandstand on Wednesday, July 2. (Image: Supplied) Councillor Jim Bollan says, following the banners still being displayed, he has contacted senior council officers in the hope they can help remove the material. He said: "Disappointed the racists have been displaying their banners again in Clydebank after the recent council decision. "I understand there have been no prior written requests by these racist groups or individuals to WDC seeking consent to display these racist & hateful banners on Council property. "I have therefore contacted senior council officers and provided them with information which may assist the council in enforcing the recent decision by WDC to have this offensive material removed." A spokesperson for West Dunbartonshire Council is asking members of the public who are offended by the banners to report them to Police Scotland. They said: 'We are disappointed that this group continues to affix posters and flags to our bandstand despite being advised repeatedly that they are not permitted. 'Officers continue to monitor the location daily to ensure any unauthorised displays are removed as quickly as possible. 'Members of the public should contact Police Scotland if they are offended by any banners on display, even if these are later removed.'
Glasgow Times
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Far-right 'making mockery' of West Dunbartonshire Council
Banners, which have been displaying slogans such as 'You pay, migrants stay' and 'Migrants adored, pensioners ignored', have been spotted at the bandstand outside the Clyde Shopping Centre over recent months. (Image: Supplied) Following concern that the group congregating there are "spreading far-right, neo-nazi and white nationalist" agenda in the town, Jim Bollan of West Dunbartonshire Community Party presented a motion to the council urging the local authority to take down all banners, posters, flags, flyers and photos at the bandstand. The motion was agreed upon unanimously. Two weeks following this, it is understood by the Clydebank Post that the banners have not been removed. Tam Morrison, Clydebank TUC secretary, claims the lack of action is making a 'weekly mockery' of the local authority. He said: 'These fascists are making a weekly mockery of every single councillor that backed the motion. 'The council have been good in saying they'll stand up to racism, well, now's their chance. 'Enforce the decision, take these hate posters down and get them in the trash where they belong.' West Dunbartonshire Council say they monitor the location daily to ensure any unauthorised displays are removed. It is understood that the group which have links to Patriotic Alternative congregate at the Bandstand every Wednesday morning. Pictures supplied to the Clydebank Post show the banners at the stand on the morning of Wednesday, June 25 and July 2. Banners at the Bandstand on Wednesday, June 25. (Image: Supplied) Picture of the banners on the Bandstand on Wednesday, July 2. (Image: Supplied) Councillor Jim Bollan says, following the banners still being displayed, he has contacted senior council officers in the hope they can help remove the material. He said: "Disappointed the racists have been displaying their banners again in Clydebank after the recent council decision. "I understand there have been no prior written requests by these racist groups or individuals to WDC seeking consent to display these racist & hateful banners on Council property. "I have therefore contacted senior council officers and provided them with information which may assist the council in enforcing the recent decision by WDC to have this offensive material removed." A spokesperson for West Dunbartonshire Council is asking members of the public who are offended by the banners to report them to Police Scotland. They said: 'We are disappointed that this group continues to affix posters and flags to our bandstand despite being advised repeatedly that they are not permitted. 'Officers continue to monitor the location daily to ensure any unauthorised displays are removed as quickly as possible. 'Members of the public should contact Police Scotland if they are offended by any banners on display, even if these are later removed.'
Metro
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Metro
'Neo-nazi' teen wanted to go on 'terrorist rampage inspired by Jo Cox murder'
A neo-nazi teenager who was caught by MI5 as he tried to buy a gun for an attack has said he was inspired by the murder of MP Jo Cox. Alfie Coleman was detained during an undercover operation while he paid £3,500 for a Makarov pistol and ammunition in a supermarket car park. Coleman, who is now 21, believed in 'the supremacy of white people and neo-Nazism' and idolised Thomas Mair, who killed the Labour MP for Batley and Spen, jurors heard. The teenager had approached far-right organisation Patriotic Alternative in July 2021, saying he wanted to participate in its activism. The Old Bailey heard that he had allegedly planned a terrorist attack in 2022 on 'Mayor of London house', with his target specified as the address of the Lord Mayor of London. His plan included a reference to planting an explosive in a cash machine and the use of knives and crossbows, but was later abandoned, jurors heard. Another file outlined another planned attack, this time a plane hijacking. In a 'diary' document, Coleman had also expressed interest in going to France, which he said was close to an 'all out race war' and was 'where I feel most useful and where I can create the biggest impact. Coleman, of Great Notley, Essex, was caught after agreeing to buy a Makarov pistol, five magazines and 200 rounds of ammunition. He made the purchases after conversing with undercover officers on social networks including Telegram and Wire for several months, believing they were sympathetic to his views. The former Tesco worker was led to believe that the goods would be delivered in a Land Rover Discovery at a Morrisons car park in Stratford, East London on September 29, 2023. Just two days before he picked up his equipment, Coleman allegedly told a contact: 'Just something has gotta be done, how long can we sit here and talk over the internet.' The same day he also placed an online order for a Gerber Strong Arm knife with a 4.8 inch blade. When he arrived, he was arrested by a team of counter-terrorism police armed with stun guns. Nicholas De La Poer KC, prosecuting, told jurors: 'The prosecution's case is that Mr Coleman believed in an extreme right-wing ideology which included idolising the likes of Thomas Mair, the man who murdered the MP, Jo Cox.' Mr De La Poer added that Coleman had allegedly created a list of vehicle number plates, one of which belonged to a Tesco colleague who he branded a 'race traitor'. The singled-out white female co-worker was married to a man of mixed Indian and Seychellois heritage, Mr De La Poer said. He continued: 'The prosecution's case is that however he presented to the outside world when at work, Mr Coleman was seething with hatred on the inside. As a result he created a list.' Coleman did not deny writing a text similar to the 'manifestos' of far-right terrorists, and admitted to chatting to people online who declared extreme right-wing views and idolised Hitler. He also pleaded guilty to attempting to possess both a firearm and ammunition but denied he was planning a terrorist attack, and insisted he procured the weapons because he envisaged the breakdown of society. Coleman denies one charge of preparing terrorist acts. The trial continues. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Trial date set for man accused of murdering partner found dead after gas explosion MORE: Sleeper cells are lurking in the UK — experts reveal how worried we should be MORE: 'We want property developers to rebuild our pub brick-by-brick'
Glasgow Times
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Call to remove 'racist' banners from Clydebank bandstand
Jim Bollan of West Dunbartonshire Community Party will present a motion at the full council meeting next week, asking the local authority to take down all banners, posters, flags, flyers and photos at the bandstand. 'You pay, migrants stay' and 'Migrants adored, pensioners ignored' feature on the banners which appear most Wednesdays at the space next to the Clyde Shopping Centre. Call to remove 'racist' banners from Clydebank bandstand. (Image: YouTube) In a video posted on YouTube, a logo for Patriotic Alternative, a far-right group, is seen before photos of the banners at the bandstand are shown. Cllr Bollan is asking the council to agree to remove any of these items from the authority-owned landmark that don't have prior written consent. He has claimed the group congregating there are "spreading far-right, neo-nazi and white nationalist" agenda in the town. Police Scotland has previously stated that they have visited the area on numerous occasions; however, no criminality has been established. Videos posted to Youtube show officers approaching the bandstand. (Image: YouTube) Cllr Bollan said: "Patriotic Alternative (PA) is a racist organisation who are not welcome in West Dunbartonshire. They were at the forefront of harassing and intimidating asylum seekers being housed in the hotel in Erskine by the government recently. "People fleeing violence and possible death in their own country were being bullied and attacked by racist members of the PA because they were non white. "They are now trying to spread their far right, neo nazi, white nationalist agenda in Clydebank and it needs to be confronted by the local council, organisations and the wider community. PA also oppose LGBT rights, which is also divisive and abhorrent. "We have a diverse community in West Dunbartonshire and we need to ensure that no individual or ethnic group are singled out because of the colour of their skin. "The Trade Unions have been at the forefront of exposing the racists locally, and we all need to build on their action to drive the racist PA out of West Dunbartonshire". A statement previously supplied by West Dunbartonshire Council says, without special permission, "notices, posters or flags are not permitted to be affixed to the bandstand and therefore the Council can and will remove these."
