David Clews, a far-right figure linked to neo-Nazi group Patriotic Alternative, is spearheading a strategy to infiltrate Reform UK and escalate extremist influence in Scottish politics, raising alarm among political leaders.
A dark chapter has unfolded in Scottish politics, marked by the audacious manoeuvrings of David Clews, a far-right influencer aiming to embed a cohort of extremist ideologies within Reform UK. Clews, who operates the controversial Unity News Network, is reportedly orchestrating a strategy to expedite the entrance of like-minded individuals into local councils and the Scottish Parliament, all while leveraging the growing popularity of Nigel Farage’s anti-immigration party.
At the heart of this strategy is a collaboration with Patriotic Alternative (PA), a group known for harbouring neo-Nazis and ex-members of the British National Party. Clews has publicly aligned himself with PA’s leader, Mark Collett, furthering the group’s sinister agenda under the guise of political reform. Collett, infamous for his extremist views, recently articulated a clear intention: to “drag Reform to the right”, ensuring far-right agendas permeate mainstream political discourse.
This infiltration is not merely theoretical; Clews and Collett are openly discussing their intentions. On social media platforms, they promote a “declaration of intent” which invites followers to assume roles within Reform UK, including candidates for various political offices. Their provocative claim promises “security” and support against perceived threats from “violent antisocial elements.” This alarming rhetoric raises serious concerns about the potential escalation of extremist influence in Scottish politics.
Political figures have sounded the alarm over these developments. Alba Party leader Kenny MacAskill articulated his fears regarding the normalisation of extreme views, coining Reform UK as a “Trojan horse” for dangerous ideologies. Patrick Harvie, co-leader of the Scottish Greens, echoed these sentiments, condemning Reform as a platform for far-right elements drawn in by the party’s populist messaging.
The last local elections demonstrated a growing traction for Reform UK, especially in England, where the party has capitalised on anti-immigration sentiment. Despite persistent warnings about the infiltration of extremists, Nigel Farage and his party remain poised to exploit these political tensions, which may unintentionally provide a fertile ground for Clews and his allies to exert influence.
Clews’ background, which includes a tumultuous political career oscillating between Conservative and Labour affiliations, reveals a consistent thread of far-right leanings. His past connections to various splinter groups, coupled with his dissemination of conspiracy theories and anti-immigration propaganda, underscore a troubling trajectory. Notably, he has amassed a substantial following online, where he rallies supporters around extreme viewpoints, including casting doubt on the legitimacy of COVID-19 vaccinations.
Furthermore, Clews and his associates lay out specific demands aimed at Reform UK, advocating for radical changes such as mass deportations and dismantling environmental protections. Their strategy hinges on cultivating a nationwide recruitment effort, with the aim of swelling their ranks within Reform and leveraging that influence to affect overarching policy.
The public sentiment towards these developments remains mixed. While some may be lured by Reform UK’s populist appeal, others are beginning to recognise the latent dangers posed by the far-right infiltration. Reports have surfaced detailing the private communications of PA, revealing not just extremist rhetoric but also an alarming commitment to promoting racial hatred and anti-immigrant sentiment.
In light of these revelations, it is evident that the struggle against far-right extremism in Scotland is ongoing and fraught with challenges. Opponents of this creeping influence urge vigilance among voters, advocating for a greater awareness of the ramifications tied to extremist infiltration. As Scottish society grapples with these pressing issues, it is imperative that the electorate remains informed and engaged, thereby safeguarding democratic values against the toxic narratives that threaten them.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scots-far-right-influencer-orchestrating-35241287 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/former-scots-tory-councillor-emerged-31422962 – This article reports on David Clews, a former Scottish Conservative councillor, who has become a leading influencer for the far-right group Patriotic Alternative (PA). Clews was a keynote speaker at PA’s annual rally, sharing the stage with notorious far-right activists. The event was attended by approximately 200 people, and Clews received a warm reception. The article highlights Clews’ association with PA and his role in promoting their agenda.
- https://theferret.scot/exposed-inside-far-right-patriotic-alternative/ – An investigative piece delving into the activities of Patriotic Alternative (PA), a far-right group recruiting in Scotland. The article reveals that PA’s supporters include neo-Nazis and former members of the British National Party and Scottish Defence League. Undercover research uncovered racist and anti-Semitic content within PA’s private Telegram group. The group, founded in 2019 by Mark Collett, aims to remove all non-white people from the UK and recruits young people through community-building activities.
- https://www.patrioticalternative.org.uk/about/ – The official ‘About’ page of Patriotic Alternative (PA), a community-building and activism group founded in September 2019 by Mark Collett. PA’s stated aims include raising awareness of issues such as the demographic decline of native Britons, the environmental impact of mass immigration, and political bias in British schools. The group organizes nationwide events and activities, including conferences and camping trips, and has regional groups across Britain. PA is led by Mark Collett and Laura Towler.
- https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/feb/15/patriotic-alternative-trying-to-inflame-local-tensions-in-britain-to-spread-far-right-stance – An article discussing the activities of Patriotic Alternative (PA), a far-right group founded in 2019 by Mark Collett. The piece highlights PA’s attempts to infiltrate local anti-migrant campaigns and its efforts to downplay its extremism when dealing with the public. It also mentions PA’s involvement in local protests and demonstrations, aiming to inflame local tensions to spread its far-right stance. The article provides insights into PA’s strategies and public perception.
- https://www.searchlightmagazine.com/2024/09/clean-skin-neo-nazis-to-infiltrate-reform-uk/ – An article revealing Patriotic Alternative leader Mark Collett’s plan for neo-Nazi sympathizers with no public record of involvement in extremist groups to infiltrate Reform UK. Collett suggests that these individuals join Reform UK, help steer the party from within, and put themselves forward as parliamentary candidates. The goal is to have an ethno-nationalist elected to parliament under the Reform UK banner, bringing the party closer to PA’s positions.
- https://hopenothate.org.uk/2022/04/26/patriotic-alternative-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-nazis-exploiting-the-media/ – A report by HOPE not hate shedding light on Patriotic Alternative (PA), a far-right group exploiting the media. The article discusses PA’s leaders’ open admiration for Hitler, including leader Mark Collett’s recommendation of Mein Kampf to his audience and his description of Hitler as a ‘simple, humble painter.’ It also highlights the group’s efforts to infiltrate mainstream media and downplay its extremist views to gain wider acceptance.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references contemporary figures and events, suggesting a recent context. However, without specific dates or recent events mentioned, it is difficult to ascertain if the information is entirely new or if it has been previously reported.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
There are no direct quotes that can be verified against an earlier source. The narrative mentions articulations by political figures, but these are not direct quotes that can be confirmed as original.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The Daily Record is a well-established publication in Scotland, known for its factual reporting. While it may hold some bias, it is generally considered reliable.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims align with the known political landscape and the rise of far-right movements in the UK. The narrative’s focus on specific groups and their agendas is plausible given recent political trends.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative is plausible given the current political climate and the rise of far-right ideologies in the UK. The source is generally reliable, but the lack of specific dates or recent events makes it difficult to assess its freshness fully. The narrative does not contain verifiable quotes, which could be either original or previously reported.
