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Help us keep up the fight against fascism and the far right threat.

NOTE: This article was published on 18 May 2021

Help us keep up the fight against fascism and the far right threat.




In the 60 years of its existence – and almost 50 years as a magazine – Searchlight has investigated and monitored the activities of racists, fascists, the far right and neo-Nazi groups in the UK and Europe. Now, with the rise of the far right in Britain and around the world, our work is as vital as ever.

Over many years our work has led to arrests and jailing of dangerous, violent far-right criminals. In the 1980s, we helped West Midlands police uncover a large cache of weapons stockpiled by nazi gangs. In 1981 we were able to prevent a nazi bomb attack on the Notting Hill Carnival. In the 1990s we exposed the terrorist activities of Combat 18. A Searchlight infiltrator codenamed ‘Arthur’ helped identify the neo-Nazi London nail bomber David Copeland in 1999.

Much of our information has been gained from undercover intelligence work by moles and informants. Perhaps the most celebrated was Ray Hill who, working undercover in British Movement and the British National Party, managed to prevent the Notting Hill Carnival bomb plot. And today, Searchlight continues to operate a network of inside informants in groups across the extreme right. We enjoy an international reputation and work with a network of colleagues across the world.

Now, in February 2025 and on the 50th anniversary of the appearance of Searchlight in magazine format, we will be moving our entire operation online to make better use of our resources and devote even more to the central tasks of investigating, analysing and reporting on the extreme right.

Already we have a growing online presence with hundreds of visitors to our website every day. And we have ambitious plans for expanding our investigative capacity and keeping an even closer eye on what is going on within the far right.

But this intelligence work is far more expensive than many realise and if we are to maintain and grow it, we will need the ongoing financial support of our readers and supporters.

If you have had a subscription to the magazine – or even if you haven’t – please consider supporting us with a regular contribution to this exciting new chapter of Searchlight’s distinguished history at the heart of the anti-fascist and anti-racist movement.

Together we can keep the Searchlight trained on the enemies of democracy and their activities.

We welcome personal donations or collective donations through trade union, student, professional or community organisations. Please support the continuation of Searchlight’s vital work. There are several ways to donate:

• Use the Donate button below to donate by credit card, debit card or with a PayPal account.

• Send a cheque, made payable to Searchlight, to Searchlight, PO Box 1576, Ilford IG5 0NG.

• Donate by bank transfer to Searchlight , sort code 40 17 45, account number 11110608.




Thank you for your support and solidarity!


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

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

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

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

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