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Southampton EU opponent advised to remove swastika banner | Southampton EU opponent advised to remove swastika banner |
(35 minutes later) | |
A man who put up a banner bearing the swastika symbol outside his home has been advised by police to remove it. | |
The anti-EU banner was put up in Hedge End, Southampton, by taxi driver Dusty Miller. | The anti-EU banner was put up in Hedge End, Southampton, by taxi driver Dusty Miller. |
It is one of many political posters he has put up over the past three years and he has vowed not to be "censored". | It is one of many political posters he has put up over the past three years and he has vowed not to be "censored". |
Police said they had recommended the 66-year-old take the banner down in order to avoid complaints that could be investigated as criminal offences. | |
It reads: "Have we British forgotten the last attempt to remove our freedom and democracy? We did not fight two world wars to surrender and be ruled by a corrupt EU!" | It reads: "Have we British forgotten the last attempt to remove our freedom and democracy? We did not fight two world wars to surrender and be ruled by a corrupt EU!" |
Mr Miller said he told officers he would continue to display the banner, and said the length of time it stayed up would depend on the "debate" it generated. | Mr Miller said he told officers he would continue to display the banner, and said the length of time it stayed up would depend on the "debate" it generated. |
'Not a racist' | 'Not a racist' |
"I want us to get out of the EU," Mr Miller said. | "I want us to get out of the EU," Mr Miller said. |
"I wanted to use the one symbol that is most horrifying, and that is the swastika." | "I wanted to use the one symbol that is most horrifying, and that is the swastika." |
He said he accepted some people would find it "distasteful" to compare the EU to the Nazis. | He said he accepted some people would find it "distasteful" to compare the EU to the Nazis. |
"I'm not a far-right extremist, I'm not a racist, I'm just a regular guy who doesn't like what he sees happening to our country," he added. | "I'm not a far-right extremist, I'm not a racist, I'm just a regular guy who doesn't like what he sees happening to our country," he added. |
Hampshire Police said: "Displaying the symbol is not a criminal offence but if approached by a member of the community with a criminal allegation relating to the poster, this would be assessed on an individual basis." | Hampshire Police said: "Displaying the symbol is not a criminal offence but if approached by a member of the community with a criminal allegation relating to the poster, this would be assessed on an individual basis." |
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