MPs support outlawing white supremacist group
The Base, which 'almost certainly prepares for terrorism', has moved closer to becoming a proscribed group in the UK following the decision in the House of Commons.
MPs have supported outlawing a white supremacist group in the UK, amid terrorism concerns.
The Base, a far-right group from the US, has moved closer to becoming a proscribed group in the UK following the decision in the House of Commons.
Peers will consider the matter in the House of Lords on Thursday.
Home Office minister Chris Philp told the Commons: “This abhorrent group is a predominantly US-based white supremacist militant group that seeks to radicalise and train people for potentially violent activities.
“It almost certainly prepares for terrorism.
“We believe the training it provides is highly likely to be paramilitary in nature and is possibly preparatory for offensive action.”
He added of the motion: “This sends a strong statement of intent that their ideology is unacceptable and that the UK is a hostile environment to terrorism in all its forms.”
Labour’s Stephanie Peacock (Barnsley East) added: “This is a violent group of highly determined hardened Nazis.
“Based in the United States, they have access to weaponry and have been actively plotting terrorist attacks.
“Although they are primarily operating in the US, their leader is living in Russia and they are promoting their hateful cause for violence globally via messaging apps and other online platforms.”
She also called on the Government to ban another far-right group called the Order Of The Nine Angles, saying: “This is not a new organisation.
“It has been active since the 1970s.
“Its members make use of largely unmonitored encrypted social media platforms to conduct activities which are illegal under existing legislation and which warrant their prescription under the same laws, namely their activities to incite and inspire people to commit acts of terror.”
Mr Philp replied the Government does not “comment on specific organisations for obvious reasons of operational security”.
But he added: “Let me repeat how seriously this Government takes action against terrorist organisations, regardless of their ideological motivation.
“We will leave no stone unturned nor any path untrodden in our ceaseless battle to keep our fellow citizens safe.”
Under the law, members of the Base living in the UK could now be imprisoned for a maximum of 14 years in prison, or face an unlimited fine.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
