Anti-fascist group consults lawyers over 'violence' remarks on LBC
Anti-fascist charity Hope Not Hate has hit back at Nigel Farage after the former UKIP leader called them ‘extremists’ who ‘pursue violence’ amid his spat with the widower of slain MP Jo Cox.
The group said ‘we have no idea on what Mr Farage bases his outrageous comments’ and said it was consulting with lawyers about his ‘potentially libellous statement’.
Farage was on LBC radio discussing his Twitter spat over last night’s Berlin lorry attack with Brendan Cox, whose late wife Jo was murdered by a neo-Nazi terrorist a week before the EU referendum.
Farage had blamed the attack, which killed 12 and injured 48, on German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s immigration policies, to which Brendan replied:
@Nigel_Farage blaming politicians for the actions of extremists? That’s a slippery slope Nigel
— Brendan Cox (@MrBrendanCox) December 20, 2016
On LBC today, Farage said:
“Well of course he would know more about extremists than me, Mr Cox, he backs organisations like Hope Not Hate, who masquerade as being lovely and peaceful but actually pursue violent and very undemocratic means.”
Hope Not Hate, responding in a statement, said:
“We are aware of a serious and potentially libellous statement made about Hope Not Hate by Nigel Farage on LBC radio this morning.
We have no idea on what Mr Farage bases his outrageous comments. Hope Not Hate has a proud history of campaigning against extremism and hatred.
We will not be making any further comment until we have had the opportunity to consult with our lawyers.”
* * *
UPDATE: Hope Not Hate has written to Farage:
.@hopenothate has just sent Nigel Farage a legal letter demanding his retracts and apologises or else we will start legal action.
— Nick Lowles (@lowles_nick) December 20, 2016
Adam Barnett is staff writer for Left Foot Forward. Follow him on Twitter @AdamBarnett13
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8 Responses to “Hope Not Hate hits back after Nigel Farage’s ‘extremists’ slur”
Cole
Jimmy Glesga – it’s because Hope not hate ISNT a violent organisation as dishonestly proclaimed by Farage.
Mick Hills
Farage is a closet fascist of that there is no doubt. He will appeal to many because there are fascists in this country as anyone who has read any of the comments on here can see. I hope HNH sues the arse of Farage to be honest. It doesn’t matter if his storm troopers pay his bill he will be convicted as a libeler and that is important because it can be thrown in his face every time he opens his mouth. A man who can not put forward a argument without telling lies and who is publicly held to account is always beatable in an election. A proven liar in the eyes of the law can be outed again and again for what he did. Hope Not Hate will be doing British Politics a great service if the sue him successfully. But he will apologize and they should not have given him the opportunity to do so. Big mistake. Farage can never justify his claim against HNH in a court of law and he knows it. Please do him over HNH it will be a wonderful start to 2017. People can chip in to help them do it, he is not the only person who can crowd fund.
Jimmy Glesga
Mick Hills, can you prove Farage is a closet fascist? Will you take him to court to prove it?