Fascist group booked room under false pretences
A hotel duped by a fascist group has pledged a donation to the charity set up in memory of murdered MP Jo Cox.
Wyboston Lakes, in Bedfordshire, was the venue for a recent conference by far right outfit Britain First.
It says it was unaware the racist organisation had made the booking, as it was hired out under the name of “Patriot Merchandise”.
When the fascists were unmasked, hotel managers said they were horrified and “deeply offended” by their presence.
They pledged to donate the £2,250 booking fee to charities – and have now upped this to £3,000.
£1,000 will go to the Jo Cox Foundation, which campaigns for social cohesion, and was set up following the Batley and Spen MP’s murder by a far right terrorist in June 2016.
After shooting and stabbing the 41 year old mum of two and former third sector worker, killer Thomas Mair was heard to shout “Britain first”.
The hotel will also donate £1,000 to Beyond Food, which helps homeless people into employment and the other £1,000 will go to Bedfordshire & District Cerebral Palsy Society.
Britain First, an extremist split from the equally fascist British National Party, has a tiny membership of hardcore neo-nazis, many of whom have criminal convictions, but it has become notorious because of its social media operation.
It recently gained publicity when US President Donald Trump retweeted racist anti-Muslim posts it had made to his millions of followers.
A spokesman for Wyboston Lakes said: “Had we known the nature of the event being held by Britain First, we would not have taken the booking, as the values of our organisation conflicts with theirs in totality.
“Wyboston Lakes embraces diversity, employing 25 different nationalities and has served the local, national and international business community for over 30 years. Along with our team, our reputation is one of our most valuable assets, neither of which we would knowingly put at risk in such a manner.
“We can fully understand the concerns expressed, but we can only refer to our company values and principles, our standing as an award-winning employer and assure everyone that we are deeply offended by their presence on our property.”
