EDL leader slams academics’ report
Stephen Lennon, AKA Tommy Robinson
CLAIMS in an academic report that the English Defence League has “sustained connections to the BNP” have been denied by the group’s leader, Stephen Lennon.
The report, by Dr Matthew Feldman and Dr Paul Jackson at Northampton University’s Radicalism & New Media Research Group, says that the EDL’s leaders and followers have “neo-Nazi methods” and connections to the BNP and other extreme-right groups.
The academics also accuse the EDL of “engaging in doublespeak that powerfully questions their claim to be a single-issue, non-racist movement”.
But Stephen Lennon, who was last week convicted of assaulting a man at a rally in Blackburn in April, said he doubted the strength of the academics’ research.
“All this academic research has been done on the internet and on Facebook,” he said. “They haven’t spent any time with the EDL, they haven’t come to any demos. If they want to get involved then fine.
“They haven’t got a clue at all. We’re not linked to the BNP. I was a member of the BNP for a year in 2004 but I left when I saw what it was all about.
“Yes we have members who are ex-BNP but they joined the BNP out of desperation. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to say that there aren’t any racists in the EDL but we find out who they are and we kick them out.”
He also denied claims in the report that the EDL had received funding from the far-right campaigner Alan Lake, saying: “He has never been a member, he has never given us any money.
“He spoke at two demos and he wore a suit, and all of a sudden he was a millionaire funder.”
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Friday 25 May 2012
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Comments
There are 6 comments to this article
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joy52
Friday, October 7, 2011 at 03:32 PMThe report contains old information and glaringly avoids the concerns of EDL about muslim immigration, population, and projections.Instead the "report" name calls and labels EDL supporters. The"report" acknowledges the group is growing, but avoids the reasons why. That's why EDL just won't go away in the face of being called racist, ignorant, thugs--everyday people know there is something wrong. For all the ills in society--and there are many--at least England worked on it together as a people. Now we are not allowed to discuss a problem that everyone can see. Native English are treated as second class citizens for speaking up and saying,"We're here, too. We don't want sharia favored over our laws. Thanks, but we don't eat halal. We don't want to turn the clock back on human rights and democracy." What's wrong with that?
lovelace
Friday, October 7, 2011 at 09:28 AMPerhaps the people of Luton are interested in knowing what is going on in Southend. A black Tory councillor there has been suspended, apparently for his support of EDL. Of course, that won't end up getting in the national media. And these academics will turn round and claim EDL is "racist", when non-white people (and muslims) are welcome. http:www.theenquirer.co.ukSouthend+councillor+suspended+for+EDL+links%20id=5687
reaity
Friday, October 7, 2011 at 12:59 AMBefore the the conference I sent an email to the university which they have not been polite enough to answer..The so called specialists seem to be using old information.I confirm that there is no longer any conection of the edl and the bnp. Do some proper research and if the famous experts got paid it was highway robbery end of story
lovelace
Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 11:41 PMPending Moderation
Paul R
Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at 07:15 PMI wonder if the Northampton University’s Radicalism Group has connections with the left-wing extremist UAF who promote violence against political opponents, and denial of free speech to anyone who disagrees with them. I'd bet my last pound they do.
OrcFinderGeneral
Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at 06:45 PMThe thesis,by Dr Matthew Feldman and Dr Paul Jackson which is the central argument contains all of the supporting facts for the argument, which support the fact that the EDl are a Hooligan, Football Firm, Neo-Nazi, Fascist organisation. The facts become more credible when you take them from other sources, such as the reasons why Roberta Moore of the EDL JEWISH DIVISION resigned and the current position of the American Jewess - right wing zionist PAMLELA GELLER distancing herself from the EDL . Youtube adds credibility to the argument: http:www.youtube.comwatch?v=MQVytGOYzig When you conclude, you are supposed to summarise your argument and then relate it back to the general topic... http:www.youtube.comwatch?v=AuIZVazXBVA&feature=related
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