Humiliating day out for far-right’s ‘Poundshop Poodle’

A beautiful, icy day in central Manchester turned out very badly for a few dozen fascists. Their gathering, organised under the weak slogan “Prioritise Britain” by the pompous “PoundShop Poodle,” Hugh Anthony, was always destined for failure. Anthony, a self-styled ‘Christian nationalist influencer’ is still reeling from being evicted from his parents’ home due to…

Hugh Anthony, manchester demo 10 Jan 2026
Hugh Anthony, the far-right ‘Poundshop Poodle’ at his Manchester demo today

A beautiful, icy day in central Manchester turned out very badly for a few dozen fascists. Their gathering, organised under the weak slogan “Prioritise Britain” by the pompous “PoundShop Poodle,” Hugh Anthony, was always destined for failure.

Anthony, a self-styled ‘Christian nationalist influencer’ is still reeling from being evicted from his parents’ home due to his “disgusting politics” (he clings to the term “Alt Right”) and the online mockery his subsequent petulant posting invited.

Propaganda victory

He had hoped his rally in St Peter’s Square would be a “propaganda victory.” Not so.

There was an unpleasant surprise waiting for them.

Manchester demo Hugh Anthony 10 Jan 2026
Anti-fascists out in force on Manchester

Independent anti-fascists, veterans of opposing far-right events across Merseyside and Greater Manchester, had decided to step up their activities.

This was a prelude to countering Britain First’s second planned foray into Manchester in a few weeks’ time. While the fascist event had been advertised online, anti-fascists organised effectively behind the scenes to ensure a decisive response.

Religious cover

The counter demonstration was supported by a number of local anti-fascist, anti-racist and left wing groups.

Hugh Anthony, manchester demo 10 Jan 2026
Hugh Anthony addresses his paltry gathering

Anthony is a self-described Christian nationalist who has built a following online by promoting ethno-nationalist and anti-immigration views framed around traditionalist and Christian imagery.

His content, which includes calls for “remigration” and other far-right positions, amounts to little more than religious cover for fascist ideology.

Hugh Anthony, manchester demo 10 Jan 2026
Hugh Anthony and ‘Young Bob’ aka Thomas Moffitt were corralled behind police lines heavily outnumbered

Around forty fascists, including the teenage rentagob grifter Thomas “Young Bob” Moffitt, were shocked to discover a serious, no-nonsense bloc of anti-fascists marching directly towards them.

Both Moffitt and Anthony, along with their tiny turnout, cowered behind police lines, begging for protection from a group determined to stop them.

Young Bob Thomas Moffitt Manchester demo Hugh Anthony 10 Jan 2026
‘Young Bob’ aka Thomas Moffitt whines to camera about having to be protetced by the police

In a total defeat, the fascists were even overshadowed by a small group of Iranian monarchists, also vying for public attention.

So well done to those brave and hardy souls who braved the cold of Manchester today and saw off this unsavoury little mob.

¡No Pasaran!

(Thanks to Young Struggle, Alice Haven and Merseyside antifa)


Alf Dubs

Lord Alf Dubs

Searchlight’s voice is more important than ever, and I am delighted that it will now be available to a wider audience than ever before in its new incarnation online. Searchlight has been extremely helpful over the years in exposing the far right, corruption, criminality and the murky links between organised crime and powerful interests in the UK and abroad. I wish Searchlight the very best.

Alf Dubs
Labour peer, former MP and Cabinet Minister, and Kindertransport child

Paul Nowak

Paul Nowak

The essence of trade unionism is solidarity, fairness and equality – for all workers – from all backgrounds. That’s why our fight against the far-right has always been part of our movement’s DNA. Searchlight is an incredibly important resource for trade unions and members to understand the contemporary tactics of far-right activity. Their work and intelligence gathering over the years have been incredibly insightful for the work we do, and how we fight the scourge of fascism.

Paul Nowak
TUC General Secretary

Peter Hain

Peter Hain, founder of the ANL and friend of Searchlight

British Jews have been persecuted over the centuries; British blacks since the Windrush generation of the 1950s; British Muslims, especially after the Islamist 9/11 and then 7/7 terrorist attacks in New York 2001 and London 2005. But until the last few years there has not been a simultaneous threat against all three British communities of Jewish, Black and Muslim Britons – meaning the need for Searchlight has never been greater.

Peter Hain
Labour peer, former MP and Cabinet Minster

Professor Colin Holmes

Professor Colin Holmes
Everyone who wants to understand contemporary racism and its historical background needs to read Searchlight.
Professor Colin Holmes
University of Sheffield

Nick Davies

Nick Davies

To investigate fascists takes real courage and unusual commitment. The government, police, mainstream media occasionally take a look, but in the UK only Searchlight have kept at it, relentlessly and admirably, regardless of threat or obstacle. It’s journalism that matters. A rare thing.

Nick Davies
Multi-award-winning investigative journalist and writer

Paul Holborow

Paul Holborow

In the campaign against the National Front, Searchlight provided a rich and utterly reliable basis for much ANL propaganda – particularly with reference to the two leading NF figures, John Tyndall and Martin Webster. The appearance of Tyndall in full nazi uniform, drawn from the archives of Searchlight, was a key part of ANL propaganda, coupled with deeply damaging nazi quotes from Webster.

Paul Holborow
Founding member of the ANL and National Organiser 1977-81

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