A former Scotland leader of Nigel Farage’s previous party has been under scrutiny over pro-Russian statements since an explosive court case. The Ferret analysed what David Coburn said about Russia – and Ukraine – throughout his political career.
Mohammed was 17 years old when he was shot by an Israeli sniper in Bethlehem. Two years on, his family say there is no accountability for his death. Their story is one of dozens from across the West Bank, it is claimed, with human rights organisations calling for child rights to be upheld.
Reform UK's Malcolm Offord claimed one million people came to the UK in the 20th century, and seven million people have come to the UK since 2000. This is not accurate.
After Kearney pleaded guilty in March to two offences of disseminating terrorist publications, a former leader with PA Scotland expressed support for him and urged members of the far right group to write to him in prison.
Kearney was sentenced at the Old Bailey last week.
The court heard that Kearney was said to be a member of Patriotic Alternative, an extreme right wing group.
He is believed to have previously been affiliated with National Action, before it was proscribed as a terror group.
In January 2021 and then in March 2021, Kearney posted a large collection of white supremacist texts and recordings to around 1,700 people who had subscribed to his Telegram channel.
He went by the username “CharlieBigPotatoes” and was living in Alicante in Spain at the time.
The material included recordings by neo-Nazis, white supremacist texts, and “manifestos” written by the perpetrators of extreme right wing terror attacks.
Kearney admitted to two counts of disseminating a terrorist publication (under Section 2 of the Terrorism Act 2000) at the Old Bailey on 1 March 2023.
Judge Richard Marks KC told Kearney: “In this country, we have lived for many years in a multicultural society which most people regard as being enriching. Right-thinking members of any society regard tolerance, kindness, understanding and inclusivity to everyone regardless of their background as being of absolutely fundamental importance.
“Much of the material that you posted entirely negates those values and is extreme, vile, inflammatory, divisive and deeply offensive.”
Kearney brazenly posted abhorrent extremist material online, advertising it to hundreds of people who followed his account.
Commander Dominic Murphy, who leads the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.
UK counter-terrorism officers worked with Spanish police to arrest Kearney near his home in Alicante in March 2022.
Commander Dominic Murphy, who leads the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Kearney brazenly posted abhorrent extremist material online, advertising it to hundreds of people who followed his account. He may have thought that, being in Spain, he could act with impunity. However, he was wrong our officers travelled to Spain to arrest Kearney, and had him extradited so he could face these charges.
“As part of our investigation, we worked with the Spanish Police and their assistance was invaluable.”
Billy is a founder and co-editor of The Ferret. He's reported internationally and from Scotland, and focuses on far right extremism, human rights, animal welfare, and the arms trade. Oor Wullie fan.
A former Scotland leader of Nigel Farage’s previous party has been under scrutiny over pro-Russian statements since an explosive court case. The Ferret analysed what David Coburn said about Russia – and Ukraine – throughout his political career.
Reform UK's Malcolm Offord claimed one million people came to the UK in the 20th century, and seven million people have come to the UK since 2000. This is not accurate.
Airbnb’s business practices in the West Bank have long been in the spotlight, prompting criticism from human rights campaigners. We can now reveal that the firm has lobbied the Scottish Government 52 times since 2018.