Facebook has confirmed it has removed the pages and profiles of a far-right political activist in the U.K. after concerns were raised in parliament about aggressive intimidation of politicians and journalists trying to go about their business in and around Westminster.
PayPal has also closed an account that was being used to solicit donations for “political activism.”
The intimidation is being conducted by a small group of extreme Brexit supporters who have — ironically enough — lifted the “yellow vest” dress code from French anti-government protestors, and are also making use of mainstream social media and crowdfunding platforms to fund and amplify attacks on public figures in an attempt to squash debate and drive an extreme “no deal” Brexit. (Context: The clock is ticking down to March 29; the date when the U.K. is due to leave the European Union, with or without a withdrawal deal.)
In incidents widely shared on social media this week, individuals from the group were filmed live-streaming harassment of Remain supporting Conservative MP Anna Soubry who was mobbed and shouted at as she walked down the street to return to parliament after being interviewed live on TV in front of the Palace of Westminster where the group heckled her with repeat chants of “Nazi.”
Members of the same group were also filmed with fisted smartphones, chasing and hurling abuse at left-wing commentator Owen Jones as he walked down a London street.
In another video, one of the individuals leading the verbal attacks, who has been identified in the press and online as a man called James Goddard, can be seen swearing viciously at Met Police officers and threatening to bring “war.”
Here's footage of Far Right 'Yellow Vest' leader James Goddard telling people (police?) they're 'fair game' and threatening 'war'. When is enough going to be enough? When someone's hurt? Killed? (via @dunc_saboteur) pic.twitter.com/yUkjCZSPHT
— Mike Stuchbery
https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/08/facebook-and-paypal-pull-pages-of-far-right-british-activist-filmed-intimidating-public-figures/
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