The undercover investigation into the far-right group, Patriotic Alternative (PA), has uncovered disturbing evidence of racist and violent views expressed by its members. This secret investigation, which spanned over a year, exposed the group’s members as they shared extreme rhetoric about migrants, advocated violence, and praised the ideology of the Nazi party.
The investigation’s shocking findings have raised serious concerns among experts and lawmakers. Former Counter-Extremism Commissioner Dame Sara Khan stated that the UK government should urgently amend the law to make groups like Patriotic Alternative illegal, as they pose a significant threat to public safety and national unity. Despite the group’s claims of peaceful activism, experts argue that their actions and language create an environment that could lead to further violence and terrorism.
Barrister Ramya Nagesh, who reviewed the footage, agreed that the evidence gathered during the investigation is sufficient for the police to pursue an investigation and refer the case to the Crown Prosecution Service. She emphasized that some of the comments made by the group’s members, including calls for violent action against migrants and the promotion of racial hatred, could be considered illegal under UK law.
Patriotic Alternative, which claims to be the UK’s largest far-right group with around 500 members and thousands of online followers, portrays itself as a movement advocating for the rights of “indigenous” Britons. The group’s leaders claim they are simply raising awareness about immigration issues and promoting family values. However, the undercover investigation revealed a much darker side to their rhetoric. Members were secretly filmed making racist and violent statements, including discussions about the inevitability of a race war and the need to use violent methods to achieve their goals.
At one point, a member of the group was filmed saying that migrants should be “rounded up into camps” and that if they refused to leave, they should be shot. Another member expressed the belief that the UK would inevitably face a race war, claiming that if migrants didn’t leave, the only option would be to “kill every single one of them.” These comments have sparked outrage and calls for immediate action against the group.
The investigation also revealed that Patriotic Alternative encourages its members to engage in public protests, including demonstrations against the housing of migrants, as well as banner-waving events where they advocate against immigration. Some of these events were attended by individuals who were not officially part of the group, but the group’s leadership has been accused of fostering an atmosphere of extremism and inciting violence. One member even discussed purchasing a pump-action shotgun and expressed the belief that “we” would have to “fight” migrants.
While Patriotic Alternative’s leader, Mark Collett, denies promoting violence and insists that the group is committed to peaceful activism, the evidence from the investigation suggests otherwise. His claims are undermined by the extreme views expressed by some of his members in private settings, including discussions about violence and hatred toward immigrants. Collett has also faced criticism for his past affiliation with the British National Party (BNP), a far-right political organization with a history of racist rhetoric.
The BBC’s undercover reporter, posing as a new recruit, attended several of the group’s events, including their annual conference and summer camp. At these gatherings, he heard members making violent and extremist statements. One member, who was identified as a former history teacher, suggested that the group should adopt tactics similar to those used by the Nazi Party in 1920s Germany to gain political power. This included organizing communities and talking to people about local issues, a strategy that helped the Nazi Party rise to prominence in Germany.
The group also hosted far-right activists from around the world, including Blair Cottrell, an Australian extremist who has been convicted of criminal behavior. Cottrell made inflammatory comments, including likening Africans to dogs and suggesting that slavery was beneficial for Black people. His rhetoric has drawn widespread condemnation, with many experts warning that such views could incite further violence and hatred.
In the wake of these revelations, Dame Sara Khan has called for immediate legal action against groups like Patriotic Alternative, urging the government to introduce new laws that would make it easier to ban far-right extremist groups. She expressed concerns about the group’s ability to radicalize young people and undermine democratic values in the UK.
The UK government has responded by stating that extremism has “no place in society” and that they are working with law enforcement and international partners to address the threat posed by extremist groups. However, critics argue that more urgent action is needed to prevent groups like Patriotic Alternative from gaining further influence.
The investigation has sparked a broader debate about the growing influence of far-right extremism in the UK, with experts warning that these groups are increasingly using social media and public demonstrations to spread their hateful ideologies. As calls for action continue to grow, it remains to be seen whether the UK government will take decisive steps to address the threat posed by these extremist groups and prevent further radicalization.
