Neo-Nazi group National Action facing UK ban as Home Secretary lashes out

A neo-Nazi group set to be banned in the UK has been described by the Home Secretary as "racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic".

National Action will this week become the first group engaged in extreme right-wing activities to be proscribed under British terrorism laws.

It means anyone who is a member or seeks support for the group faces arrest.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: "I am clear that the safety and security of our families, communities and country comes first.

"So today I am taking action to proscribe the neo-Nazi group National Action.

"This will mean that being a member of, or inviting support for, this organisation will be a criminal offence.

"National Action is a racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic organisation which stirs up hatred, glorifies violence and promotes a vile ideology, and I will not stand for it.

"It has absolutely no place in a Britain that works for everyone."

The ban comes into effect on Friday after an order was laid in Parliament on Monday, which will see the group outlawed under the Terrorism Act 2000.

The Home Secretary made the decision to ban National Action before the trial of Thomas Mair, who was jailed for the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox.

The phrase "Death to traitors, freedom for Britain!" - which was said by Mair in court - appears alongside the listing for National Action's website on Google.

Warnings have emerged that the terror threat from the extreme right could be growing.

Ms Rudd said last month that groups have become "increasingly sophisticated" in the use of social media for promotion and recruitment.

About a quarter of cases being handled by the Government's counter-extremism programme Channel are for right-wing radicalisation.

National Action uses its website to present itself as a "scene for young nationalists to network, engage socially and be creative".

It says: "We carry out demonstrations, publicity stunts, and other activities in order to grow and spread our message, that of National Socialism."

The group boasts a "tough image" which it says it to dissuade opponents of physical confrontation and it denies being made up of violent extremists.

Gideon Falter, chairman of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: "This decision by the Home Secretary is something we have long called for and sends a strong message that the far-right is in the Government's sights and will not be permitted to continue its incitement and violence."

There are 70 proscribed international organisations under the Terrorism Act 2000, including al Qaeda and Islamic State.

Fourteen organisations in Northern Ireland were banned under previous legislation.

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