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The Lowlife Football Hooligan Racist that… turned

By The Boy -

Andrew Gold says:

Matthew F. Collins, a former racist turned spy and author. In 1993, he raided a town meeting in the Welling Library with the British National Party – not known to be very nice people – he and his fellow fascists severely beat up the attendees – which he recalls being mostly composed of women – some of whom had life-changing injuries.

During the ruckus, he found himself changed by the senseless violence, and became a mole for the Searchlight and Hope Not Hate anti-racist organizations.

In 2018, it was in his role running the intelligence network and recruitment of far-right extremists for Hope Not Hate that he helped to prevent the assassination of British politician Rosie Cooper – an attempted murder that reminded the UK of Joe Cox, who was tragically killed two years earlier.

Jack Renshaw, the baby-faced spokesman of terrorist group National Action had bought a machete to carry out the murder, and will serve at least 20 years in prison. He’s also a convicted child sex offender, so he’s got quite a CV.

In any case, we can be thankful for Matthew’s work handling mole Robbie Mullins, who exposed Renshaw. I was interested in Matthew because he has some fascinating tales, but also because he encapsulates the human tendency to follow the stories we’re told as well as our capacity for change.

For a more detailed look at his life, read his books Hate: My Life in the British Far Right and Nazi Terrorist.

I found him a no-nonsense mood that also reflects how we’re all beginning to feel after months of lockdown.

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DannyG
DannyG
3 years ago
Reply to  Trembly Legs

Well said sir

Trembly Legs
Trembly Legs
3 years ago

For the record any ideology that promotes hatred and leads people to commit violence against others is deeply misguided and needs to stop. I believe a moderate, multicultural and truly tolerant-secular society is what we all should be aiming for. The bare minimum anyone should want and expect is to go about their day in peace. That’s where I stand on the world and is as political as I’m prepared to get nowadays. I’ve argued with people online in the past and all it does is breed misunderstanding, division and resentment. Ultimately both parties lose something and it spoils my day.

I’m here for the football talk and hopefully a bit of good natured banter. Would prefer the politics be left out – however well intentioned 😉

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