Crossbows, swords, and ‘Zyklon B’ canister – but no charges against BM members

Nine members of the neo-Nazi British Movement have escaped prosecution following a ten-month police investigation sparked by a gathering at which they celebrated Hitler’s birthday. Greater Manchester Police confirmed this week that all nine suspects, arrested in dawn raids last May, have been released from bail with no further action. Despite uncovering what officers themselves…

British Movement celebrate Hitler's birthday, Manchester 2025
British Movement celebrate Hitler’s birthday, Manchester 2025

Nine members of the neo-Nazi British Movement have escaped prosecution following a ten-month police investigation sparked by a gathering at which they celebrated Hitler’s birthday.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed this week that all nine suspects, arrested in dawn raids last May, have been released from bail with no further action.

Despite uncovering what officers themselves described as extremely concerning material, police concluded there was insufficient evidence to pursue charges under the Public Order Act.

British Movement Hitler birthday party 2025
British Movement Hitler birthday party 2025. Paddy McGrath leaning on bar, Dave Adams on the right

The case began after Searchlight first highlighted the birthday party, which BM had itself publicised on its Telegram channel.

Members of the group had met at a pub in Royton, Oldham, openly displaying swastika flags and an Iron Cross banner while marking what they called the birthday of “Uncle A” (no prizes…)

British Movement Hitler birthday party 2025
Grotesque – swastika birthday cake

A cake decorated with a swastika was among the more grotesque touches.

The police raids that followed produced a disturbing inventory: replica firearms, swords, a crossbow, and a canister bearing the Zyklon B logo, the gas used by the Nazis in their industrialised murder of Jewish people and others in the death camps.

Counter-terrorism officers were brought in to advise.

The haul pointed to a group with more than a passing interest in its ideological forebears.

The police dcided,however, that Section 18 of the Public Order Act – covering displays intended to stir up racial hatred – sets a bar that the evidence did not clear.

The Crown Prosecution Service was never sent a file.


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

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

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 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

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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