ORGANISERS behind a far-right anti-immigration rally held in Glasgow are facing questions about where thousands of pounds raised ahead of the event has gone.
Stef Shaw, who is known on Facebook as the “Glasgow Cabbie”, had been using his presence on the site to extensively promote the rally – which was backed by far-right agitator Tommy Robinson – in Glasgow on September 7.
The event saw a counter-protest organised by Stand Up To Racism which was attended by some 2500 people, while up to 200 people including members of the fascist Patriotic Alternative attended the Robinson-backed “pro-UK” rally.
Ahead of the event, Shaw set up a crowdfunder on the website GoFundMe and promoted it to his 34,000 Facebook followers. It had a stated target of £1500 but raised £2405 before it was closed to new donations.
Now, questions are being asked about where the funding has gone.
The most recent post on Shaw’s Glasgow Cabbie Facebook page is from August 26. However, people have been commenting below it into this week.
“There had been reports that people donated money is this correct?” one user asked. “There are reports that it raised around £2500, if this is true does anyone know where the money has gone?”
“Where's the money gone?” another added, sharing a screenshot of the fundraiser.
Shaw’s fundraiser said the money would be used “to pay for equipment and materials which we hope will help us to hold a very good, successful and PEACEFUL event”.
It added: “Any funding donated over and above what we use or need will either be donated to the injured victims of the Southport stabbing atrocities as well as the murdered young girls' families or some other carefully chosen children’s charity.”
However, Shaw’s silence on social media has sparked questions, with his followers asking why he has not posted in weeks.
One user wrote over the weekend: “Where was the cabbie today? Any ideas what happened?”
Now questions are mounting about what has happened with the £2,405 supporters were asked to donate towards the hateful rally 💸💸💸 pic.twitter.com/fG9udSvztY
— Stand Up to Racism - Scotland (@SUTRScotland) September 9, 2024
Stand Up To Racism wrote on social media: “Stef Shaw aka Glasgow Cabbie made a defensive statement in response to our revelations about his links to activists w/ background in fascist organisations – then he fell silent for 13 days, and yesterday he was a no-show at his own rally.”
The organisation added: “Questions are mounting about what has happened with the £2405 supporters were asked to donate towards the hateful rally.”
Shaw has been approached for comment, and asked if he can provide evidence of the money having been donated to a charity.
Police said two arrests were made at the “pro-UK” rally in Glasgow on September 7: A 40-year-old man for a hate crime and a 20-year-old man for carrying an offensive weapon.
