Far-right activist Alek Yerbury to speak in Elgin as local politicians condemn 'hate-filled' and 'extremist' event
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A FAR-RIGHT rally in Moray set to feature an activist who previously suggested "using firearms" to stop migrants has been condemned.
Alek Yerbury, a self-proclaimed British nationalist, has organised a number of anti-immigration rallies across the United Kingdom.
Now the Yorkshireman, once branded 'the Hull Hitler', is set to speak in Elgin after it was announced asylum seekers are being housed in the town's Eight Acres Hotel.
The gathering is due to be hosted by a group called Highland Division on Saturday, June 17, at noon. The location is given as 'Elgin Town Square'.
Highland Division describes itself as a 'leaderless, anonymous collective', with no names other than Alek Yerbury's linked to the protest.
Condemnation
The rally has drawn criticism from both Moray's Conservative MP Douglas Ross and SNP MSP Richard Lochhead.
Mr Ross said: "The people of Moray will be appalled at the thought of this hate-filled organisation holding a rally in the area.
"The vile, violent and threatening rhetoric attributed to those associated is completely intolerable."
Mr Lochhead added: “I’m certain the community will agree with me when I say that hateful demonstrations like this one are not welcome here.
“We can never be complacent about the presence of extremist and far-right groups in this country.
"However, I know people in Moray to be inclusive and welcoming and I’m confident there will be little support for this dangerous group within our local community.”
What do we know about Alek Yerbury?
According to Hope Not Hate, Alek Yerbury is a Leeds-based former soldier. He has spoken at numerous far-right, anti-immigration rallies in cities across the United Kingdom.
Online, he has made references to the murders of both Conservative MP David Amess and Labour MP Jo Cox, as well as suggesting firearms should be used against border-crossing migrants.
“Remember a few years ago when that MP got her head blown off in public? Clearly the other MPs have learnt nothing from that, and are still just as ignorant and selfish as ever," he wrote in one post.
In another he wrote: "I have never hated anyone or wanted to see someone suffer physical harm as much as (Matt) Hancock, (Boris) Johnson and the entire cabinet," before adding: “Where’s Thomas Mair when you need him?”
Thomas Mair is the man who murdered MP Jo Cox.
On a video of migrants crossing a border into Belarus, Mr Yerbury wrote: “Need to start using firearms on them. Nothing else is ever going to stop it.”
Mr Yerbury's recently took part in a similar protest in Skegness. The rallies are often outside, or nearby to, hotels that are hosting asylum seekers.
