​Fascist group could face legal action from charity

Attempts by a fascist group to hijack this year’s charity remembrance day appeal have been exposed.

The far right Britain First organisation has been told to stop using the red poppy to promote itself and could now face legal action.

It received a warning from the Royal British Legion (RBL) over its use of the symbol last month and it promised it would desist.

However, it went back on its word spectacularly and instead cranked up its inflammatory campaigning by launching its so-called Protect The Poppy drive.

It is unacceptable for the red poppy to be used for political, partisan, sectarian or commercial purposes

It further angered the RBL by including an appeal for donations to the charity on its website.

Britain First – whose website is adorned with the poppy symbol - claims it set up its campaign to “protect” poppy sellers.

A statement published on its website on Wednesday reads: “This weekend, Britain First will be mobilising its activists to protect poppy sellers across Britain.

“Poppy sellers have come under attack recently from hostile Muslims.

“Our activists will provide an umbrella of protection, especially for young poppy sellers.”

However, RBL warned people to have nothing to do with Britain First and revealed it is looking at taking legal action against the group.

A spokesperson said: “The Royal British Legion is strictly non-political and has stood above party politics for over 92 years.

“The Legion contacted Britain First about their misuse of the red poppy symbol and received a response in October stating that this would cease. The activity has continued and the Legion will be taking further action.

“It is unacceptable for the red poppy to be used for political, partisan, sectarian or commercial purposes. The poppy is a symbol of remembrance and hope, which is a registered trade mark of The Royal British Legion used for supporting our armed forces community.”

Britain First members have also been promoting a range of “patriotic” poppy merchandise through the far right website Lionheart GB (pictured above).

The extremist group was set up by former members of the fascist British National Party (BNP) who thought that group was too liberal.

It has become notorious for stunts such as invading mosques and for its huge social media presence where it spreads its poisonous message by distributing honey-trap memes which are often shared by the unwary.