Tory council candidate suspended over alleged links to far-right groups
2 min read
A Tory council candidate in Watford has been suspended over alleged links to far-right groups.
Darren Harrison, who was set to run in the forthcoming local elections, has attended events by controversial campaign group, Generation Identity, according to online media outlet Vice.
The group, established in France, held its first London conference last week and warns of what it describes as the “great replacement” of European citizens by "non-European migrants".
General Identity leader Martin Sellner planned to speak at the London launch but was refused entry to the UK by the Home Office alongside his girlfriend, Britanny Pettibone, on the grounds that their visit was intended to “spread hatred”.
His speech was instead read by anti-Islam campaigner and leader of the English Defence League Tommy Robinson, who told an audience in London’s Hyde park: “People of the UK, you are being replaced.
"There has always been immigration in your history. People coming in, assimilating.
“But what’s happening today is different: You are being replaced by massive Muslim immigration.”
He also urged supporters to take action, saying: “Today there is a war going on for our freedom of speech. This war is being fought on the streets, by you…
“Make your dissent visible by visible acts of resistance that inspire others."
Mr Harrison has been accused by Vice of attending events held by the group and has been pictured with its supporters.
The media outlet also claimed he had tweeted in support of Mr Sellner and Ms Pettibone, and posted a letter he had written to the Home Office demanding an explanation as to why they had been banned.
Having learned of the accusations against him, a Conservative spokesman said: “Darren Harrison has been suspended. An investigation is underway."
PoliticsHome Newsletters
PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe
