This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/national-action-arrest-terror-terrorist-far-right-neo-nazi-police-counter-terror-soldiers-wales-a7969566.html
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| National Action: 11 suspected members of banned neo-Nazi terror group arrested in England and Wales | National Action: 11 suspected members of banned neo-Nazi terror group arrested in England and Wales |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Police have arrested 11 suspected members of a neo-Nazi group on suspicion of terror offences across England and Wales. | Police have arrested 11 suspected members of a neo-Nazi group on suspicion of terror offences across England and Wales. |
| Six men were arrested in north west England, including one suspect who was already in prison, two in Wales, two in West Yorkshire and one man in Wiltshire. Counter-terror police are searching their homes. | Six men were arrested in north west England, including one suspect who was already in prison, two in Wales, two in West Yorkshire and one man in Wiltshire. Counter-terror police are searching their homes. |
| Several of the alleged National Action supporters were arrested in and around Warrington, where The Independent revealed the group was continuing to operate a base. | Several of the alleged National Action supporters were arrested in and around Warrington, where The Independent revealed the group was continuing to operate a base. |
| National Action became the first far-right group banned as a terrorist organisation in December, with the Government citing its “virulently racist, antisemitic and homophobic” ideology. | National Action became the first far-right group banned as a terrorist organisation in December, with the Government citing its “virulently racist, antisemitic and homophobic” ideology. |
| But experts and campaigners had warned that members were evading authorities by splitting into regional factions and operating under different names. | But experts and campaigners had warned that members were evading authorities by splitting into regional factions and operating under different names. |
| National Action promotes the idea that Britain will inevitably see a violent “race war” and has been linked to the murder of Jo Cox and a pipe bomb plot. | |
| Detective Chief Superintendent Martin Snowden, head of the North East Counter Terrorism Unit, said: “Today's arrests are part of coordinated action by the national counter-terrorism network and UK policing. | Detective Chief Superintendent Martin Snowden, head of the North East Counter Terrorism Unit, said: “Today's arrests are part of coordinated action by the national counter-terrorism network and UK policing. |
| "Those who promote extreme right wing views are looking to divide our communities and spread hatred. This will not be tolerated and those who do so must be brought to justice.” | "Those who promote extreme right wing views are looking to divide our communities and spread hatred. This will not be tolerated and those who do so must be brought to justice.” |
| The Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu of the Metropolitan Police, said: “Counter-terror policing is committed to tackling all forms of extremism that threatens public safety and security. | The Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu of the Metropolitan Police, said: “Counter-terror policing is committed to tackling all forms of extremism that threatens public safety and security. |
| "Investigations relating to alleged extreme right wing activity are pursued with the same level or resource and vigour as other ideologies, in order to bring suspected offenders before the courts. | "Investigations relating to alleged extreme right wing activity are pursued with the same level or resource and vigour as other ideologies, in order to bring suspected offenders before the courts. |
| "Today's arrests, while resulting from two separate investigations, have been coordinated by our officers across a number of forces. This maximises operational effectiveness for police and minimises disruption for the local communities." | "Today's arrests, while resulting from two separate investigations, have been coordinated by our officers across a number of forces. This maximises operational effectiveness for police and minimises disruption for the local communities." |
| It comes after three alleged members of National Action, including serving British soldiers, appeared in court charged with terror offences. | It comes after three alleged members of National Action, including serving British soldiers, appeared in court charged with terror offences. |
| Lance Corporal Mikko Vehvilainen, Private Mark Barrett and Alexander Deakin, a civilian, stand accused of being members of the banned group and other offences. | Lance Corporal Mikko Vehvilainen, Private Mark Barrett and Alexander Deakin, a civilian, stand accused of being members of the banned group and other offences. |
| Following their arrests, it emerged that several people who openly expressed support for National Action and neo-Nazi ideology online were able to join the Army. | |
| Campaigners called for the Government to launch an inquiry into possible extremism within the military but the Ministry of Defence said it had no plans. | Campaigners called for the Government to launch an inquiry into possible extremism within the military but the Ministry of Defence said it had no plans. |