For over a year, I infiltrated the far-right group Patriotic Alternative (PA), posing as Dan Jones, a delivery rider who had supposedly fallen on hard times. My undercover work led me deep into their protests, secret meetings, summer camps, and conferences, exposing a dangerous network of extremist beliefs, calls for violence, and racism disguised as activism.
During my time with PA, I encountered families, former civil servants, NHS workers, and even teachers, united by a shared ideology. I documented their plans, heard horrifying accounts of their intentions, and witnessed them openly share racist propaganda, discuss arming themselves, and fantasize about race wars. What I uncovered paints a disturbing picture of how such groups operate and thrive in the shadows.
The journey began when I contacted Joe Marsh, PA’s organiser in Wales. Known for his history in the far-right British National Party (BNP) and as a football hooligan, he was actively involved in protests against housing asylum seekers in Llanelli. My first meeting with him was a breakfast in Swansea, which felt more like an interrogation. Marsh was cautious, joking about avoiding spies or reporters, but after hours of conversation, I gained his trust and was welcomed into the group.
From that moment, my phone became a conduit for their relentless messaging—racist memes, conspiracy theories, and calls to action. I attended a “banner drop” event, a seemingly harmless gathering to wave PA-branded flags near a busy road. Behind the scenes, however, members discussed violence, including learning to fight and kill, as part of their preparation for a so-called “race war.”
PA’s summer camp in Derbyshire was presented as a family-friendly hiking event, but it was far from benign. Around 150 members, including children, gathered to discuss white replacement conspiracy theories and openly use racial slurs. They flew PA flags and unveiled banners reading “We will not be replaced” and “White Lives Matter.”
Even more chilling was their “special conference,” disguised as a 50th birthday party to secure a venue. Speakers included convicted extremists like Blair Cottrell, who suggested brutal and graphic acts of violence as a deterrent against migrants. Attendees cheered these speeches, illustrating the dangerous ideologies fueling this group.
What struck me most was how ordinary many of the members appeared. Among the ranks were professionals—former history teachers, NHS workers, and civil servants—people you might encounter in daily life. They were highly organized, with regional leaders reporting to Mark Collett, PA’s founder. Their ultimate goal, as Collett described, was to gain public trust through local activism, presenting themselves as protectors of communities while spreading hate-filled propaganda.
Wearing a hidden camera, I captured damning evidence of PA’s operations. This included members discussing plans to arm themselves, calls for violence, and their belief in a looming race war. On one occasion, a member shared his idea of placing migrants in camps and shooting those who refused to leave. Another admitted to destroying evidence by burning his phone on a barbecue.
When the BBC revealed the investigation, PA quickly identified me and cut off all communication. However, the evidence gathered has sparked calls for police investigations and changes to laws to ban groups like PA.
This experience left me more cautious and aware of the deep-rooted hate that exists within such groups. The facade they present—protecting local communities—is a dangerous ploy to mask their violent and extremist intentions. It’s crucial to expose these hidden networks to prevent them from spreading hate and influencing others.
Mark Collett and PA deny being extremist or promoting violence, claiming to campaign peacefully for the rights of “indigenous British people.” However, the actions and ideologies I witnessed tell a very different story.
The fight against such ideologies is far from over, but shedding light on their operations is a critical step in countering their influence and protecting vulnerable communities.
