Britain First’s ‘battle bus’ – the grift that keeps on giving

The Britain First ‘battle bus’ saga has taken yet another predictable turn, with Paul Golding now launching an online appeal claiming he faces a driving ban and needs supporters’ cash to “help”. It is, in effect, the latest attempt to spin a self‑inflicted farce into a persecution narrative, and raise a few quid in the…

29 March 2026

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reports

Britain First battle bus seized in LIverpool

It is, in effect, the latest attempt to spin a self‑inflicted farce into a persecution narrative, and raise a few quid in the process from his ever-gullible supporters.

Juvenile banner

When Searchlight first reported on the story, Golding had been stopped in Greater Manchester and issued with a 12‑month Section 59 warning after parading his so‑called “battle bus” through Altrincham, complete with its juvenile banner attacking the Labour leader, Keir Starmer.

Paul Golding battle bus encounter with GMP — Paul Golding gets his first warning from GMP

Police made the consequences abundantly clear: repeat the stunt and the vehicle would be seized. Golding, naturally, repeated the stunt a week later at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool. And the vehicle, naturally, was seized.

Then, the police threatened to have it destroyed.

Victimisation

What followed was the usual routine: Golding railing about “victimisation” and pleading for funds, despite having engineered the situation himself.

In the end, British fascism’s village idiot used thousand of pounds of BF members money to buy it back at a police auction, then had the gall to claim they had “completely outsmarted” Greater Manchester Police.

Ashlea Simon proclaims victory over Britain First battle bus — Ashlea Simon proclaims victory after buying back the bus at a police auction

Now he is being portrayed as a man on the brink of losing his licence due to even more “persecution” by the authorities. The narrative is as predictable as it is hollow.

Criminal charge

Greater Manchester Police have now written to inform him that he is being charged with driving without insurance last October on the trip to the Liverpool Labour Party conference. He is offered the standard choice: plead guilty and accept six points and a fine, or contest it in court.

True to form, Golding insists this is “utterly ridiculous” because, he claims, officers themselves contacted his insurer at the roadside and caused the policy to be cancelled.

Paul Golding - driving Britain First battle bus without insurance — Paul Golding – charged with driving Britain First battle bus without insurance

In fact, it is likely that when the insurers were told by police that the vehcle was already subject to a Section 59 warning, which was probably the first they had heard of it, they immediately cancelled his cover.

What is striking is not the brazenness of the grift – Golding has never been subtle – but the sheer repetitiveness of the script. Golding’s latest appeal is simply the latest instalment in a tired routine: manufacture a problem, cry foul, pass the hat.

Category: News

Keywords: Battle bus, Britain First, Paul Golding

Peter Hain

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

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

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

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

Professor Colin Holmes

Everyone who wants to understand contemporary racism and its historical background needs to read Searchlight.

Professor Colin Holmes

University of Sheffield

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