The man whose ‘nice debate’ meant police protection for a woman MP

Meet Alex Jardine. He’s very unhappy at the moment because he’s found himself at the centre of controversy. Hardly surprising given his involvement in the Hannah Spencer incident in central Manchester last weekend. He’s complaining that he has come under fire from “the bloody lefties” for putting Manchester’s new Green Party MP in considerable distress…

Alex Jardine
Alex Jardine – just likes a ‘nice debate’

Meet Alex Jardine. He’s very unhappy at the moment because he’s found himself at the centre of controversy. Hardly surprising given his involvement in the Hannah Spencer incident in central Manchester last weekend.

He’s complaining that he has come under fire from “the bloody lefties” for putting Manchester’s new Green Party MP in considerable distress and possibly danger, so that she needed a police escort to escape his attentions.

Attack on Hannah Spencer in Manchester 8 March 2026
Steve James (in cap) and Alex Jardine (right) get in Hannah Spencer’s face

Carrying anti-trans sandwich boards, he and ex-military provocateur-in-chief Steve James, hurled abuse at Hannah Spencer before attempting to get in her face, harass her and stop her walking away from a Together Alliance rally in Piccadilly Gardens.

His rightwards-leaning online chums have since leapt to his defence, accusing those with Hannah Spencer of initiating the violence – and Searchlight of manipulating photos from the incident to present a misleading picture.

Throwing punches

Well, frankly, we would expect no less, but it is perfectly clear from the video of the event (which we viewed carefully before posting our report) what actually happened: Jardine and James raced after Spencer as she walked from the rally, got very close to her, and shouted her face.

They were then joined by other fascists – including Chris Messenger – who tried to do the same. Those with Spencer pushed them away at which point the fascists started throwing punches and pulling hair.

Police had to intervene to protect Spencer and the escorted her away in a police car.

Alex Jardine post
Alex Jardine posts online: bottom left, with Tommy Robinson; bottom right, at UKIP rally in Manchester

Further investigation shows that Jardine, who hails from Stoke, is currently suspended from his job in the NHS, allegedly for homophobia.

His case has been taken up by Tommy Robinson who is holding him up as a free speech ‘martyr’.

Jardine has been quick to go on social media to cash in on his infamy, answering questions like, “Why would you spend your time obsessing about trans people when you look like a bit part cos play actor from Game of Thrones?”

He’s not a fascist, though. Certainly not.

He might hang around with fascists, get photographed with Tommy Robinson, support Unite the Kingdom, turn up at UKIP rallies, harass anti-fascists, try and get information about them, he might even share the views of fascists – but really he’s only interested in “free speech and having a nice debate.”

Police protection

Yes, like last Saturday when he tried to disrupt women speaking at a rally and then harass a female MP so much she had to be escorted away in a police car.

And, much to his annoyance, he’s a “cancelled drummer.”

When musicians on the local rock scene found out that he was a right winger with attitude and activity to match they made it quite clear that they were finished with him.

Alex Jardine drummer with Rikki Doolan
Alex Jardine backing up far-right ‘singer’ Rikki Doolan

One gig he will continue to get, we are sure, is with Rikki Doolan’s band, with whom he has appeared in the past. Doolan, of course, is close to Tommy Robinson and was, for a while, a member of the UKIP NEC.

Alex Jardine with gun
Alex Jardine with gun

But when he’s out with his far-right mates, or posing for pictures with the the likes of the grifter known as Tommy Robinson, he’s posing with guns.

Lovely chap, Alex Jardine.


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

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

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

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

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