A leading member of a neo-Nazi group operating in Scotland has been “forging new loyalties” with an English activist who styles himself on Adolf Hitler.
In one picture, Hadden Adam, a member of far-right outfit Highland Division, is shown meeting Alek Yerbury – a Hitler lookalike who was once part of fascist BNP spin-off Patriotic Alternative.
Campaign groups have since slammed the meeting as “repulsive” and “concerning”. Adam is seen shaking hands with trenchcoat-wearing Yerbury, who also sports a clipped moustache and waxed-down hair – just like his twisted Nazi hero.
The caption on the image, shared by Highland Division in an underground encrypted chat group, reads: “One of our activists met up with several other nationalist groups including the British Movement and some independent nationalists. Forging new loyalties...unite the right.”
The post suggests that Highland Division is seeking to make new connections with other white supremacist groups that operate in closed communities online. It is understood the gathering took place in March, but it is unclear where it was held.
A Record probe last November uncovered Highland Division, who shamelessly co-opted the identity of a former British Army infantry that fought the Nazis in the Battle of Normandy.
It operates within an underworld of neo-Nazi groups using an encrypted chat platform to recruit hateful racists.
In one sinister clip, Adam, 23, is seen spouting Nazi ideology as well as racist, white supremacist and anti-Semitic views and calls on “white wolves” to “rise up” as he crouches by a campfire.
The bile-spouting thug is heard warning that Highland Division “won’t stop” as he refers to Hitler as a “great war hero” and recommends reading the fuhrer’s hate-filled manifesto, Mein Kampf (My Struggle).
Yerbury was once seen as a rising star within fascist outfit Patriotic Alternative. He is a former soldier and served six years with the British Army. Known for fuelling racial division, Yerbury, 27, was behind a plot to hijack asylum seekers being moved to new homes in Hull in a right-wing propaganda drive.
In a speech given after a decision was made not to house the asylum seekers, Yerbury whipped up a frenzied crowd yelling: “Do you want 1100 unknown asylum seekers? We do not want them in Britain.”
The British Movement operates exclusively online. Its Scottish branch spews racist rhetoric via a blog. Just a couple of days ago it suggested the election of Humza Yousaf as First Minister was proof of the “great replacement”.
This conspiracy theory, which has its roots in racism and Islamophobia, makes unfounded claims that an unseen political elite is seeking to eradicate white people.
When asked about the comparisons to Hitler, Yerbury told the Record: “I find this trivial and of little concern or relevance. I’ve looked and dressed like this for years as I prefer my appearance to reflect the things I encourage which are discipline, pride and self-respect.”
David Lawrence, senior researcher at campaign group HOPE not Hate, said: “Various offcasts of a larger fascist group are attempting to band together to find strength in numbers. Their efforts to unite the right won’t change the fact that their politics are repulsive to the overwhelming majority of the British public.”
A spokesperson for the Campaign Against Antisemitism added: “The reports of far-right activists seeking to coalesce should concern not only those like us who are actively involved in tackling anti-Semitism but the wider public.
“Organisations such as Highland Division and Patriotic Alternative, while seeking to portray themselves as legitimate political factions, must be condemned at every opportunity.”
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