The UK government has frozen the assets of the far-right extremist group Blood and Honour. This marks the first time that a right-wing extremist group has faced such financial action. The group, which is linked to the skinhead music scene, is known for promoting dangerous and racist ideologies, and now its financial activities will be severely restricted.
The UK Treasury announced the decision, saying it had “reasonable grounds to suspect” that Blood and Honour was involved in activities related to terrorism. This includes spreading terrorist messages, trying to recruit people for violent actions, and providing money to fund these harmful activities. As part of the asset freeze, the government has also targeted Blood and Honour’s associated groups, including Combat 18 and 28 Radio, meaning no one in the UK is allowed to support or offer financial services to these organizations.
Background of Blood and Honour
Blood and Honour was founded in 1987 by a well-known figure in the skinhead music scene, who believed that other far-right groups were not racist enough. The name of the group comes from a phrase used by the Hitler Youth, which was associated with Adolf Hitler’s Nazi party. The group uses music, particularly skinhead and white power rock, to spread its harmful beliefs and recruit followers.
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For years, Blood and Honour has held events, including music festivals, to promote its white supremacist agenda. The group is also linked to Combat 18, a violent organization that used to act as security for Blood and Honour events before it eventually took control of one of the group’s factions. Additionally, 28 Radio, an online radio station, was used by Blood and Honour to spread its extremist views.
While the group’s leader died in a car crash in 1993, Blood and Honour continued its activities, showing that the organization was deeply committed to its dangerous ideology. The UK government’s recent action marks a strong response to the group’s ongoing efforts to recruit people and spread violence through financial backing and terrorist activities.
The Government’s Decision: A Targeted Response
The action against Blood and Honour is a step that differs from previous government actions against other far-right groups. Instead of banning the group outright, as has been done with several other extremist organizations, the government has frozen its financial assets. This means that no one in the UK can provide financial services to the group or its affiliates, including donations or business dealings.
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The UK government has previously banned or “proscribed” several far-right groups, labeling them as terrorist organizations. Groups like National Action, Atomwaffen Division, and The Base have already been banned for their dangerous activities. But with Blood and Honour, the government has taken a different approach. By freezing the group’s assets, the government aims to limit its ability to fund and support violent actions, making it harder for the organization to operate.
While Blood and Honour has not been banned as a terrorist group in the UK, the freeze on its assets is a powerful tool to limit the group’s activities. By taking away the group’s ability to access money, the government hopes to prevent them from further spreading their harmful message and causing more harm.
The decision to freeze the assets of Blood and Honour is a major step in the UK’s fight against far-right extremism. By targeting the group’s financial capabilities, the government is making it harder for them to spread their dangerous ideologies and recruit new members. Although the group has not been fully banned, this action serves as a clear message that extremism will not be tolerated in the UK. The government’s decision highlights the importance of tackling far-right groups in multiple ways, including financially, to prevent them from gaining any further ground.
