ANTI-RACISM campaigners have claimed victory after neo Nazis were said to have backed out of a planned gig in a Scottish town.
The National revealed last week that more than 100 white supremacists were planning to gather in Bathgate, West Lothian for a hate concert on Saturday.
But there was no sign the gig went ahead as had been planned, according to a local branch of the Stand Up to Racism campaign group.
The line-up was said to have included big names in the white power music scene including Ken McKellan of the neo-Nazi and Rock Against Communism band Brutal Attack, Brad Hollamby of the band Bulldog Breed and Benny Bullman from the band Whitelaw.
A “surprise” act from Germany was said to have also been planning to attend, according to Hope Not Hate, who said they had been tipped off about the event by their moles within neo Nazi groups.
Police last week made inquiries about where the gig was planned to be held.
Rania Obead, West Lothian resident and anti-racism activist, said: "This is not just about the appalling noise that they call music. We had serious concerns that the reported 150 or so white supremacists who wanted to come to this event would cause havoc in a town the size of Bathgate.
“We are proud of our diverse community and we are determined to stop the racists from dividing us.”
Protesters, who had been alerted to the plans through The National’s reporting last week, gathered in Bathgate’s town square and were joined by campaigners from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee.
Obead added: “We showed, and in freezing temperatures, that wherever there is word that Nazis or the far right try to mobilise, we will be there to stop them and show they are not welcome.
“Well done to The National newspaper, helping to put the pressure on to stop the Nazis, with the former's front page story.”
