A Nazi sympathiser who was chased from Larkhall Academy by furious pupils for promoting Hitler has been a major player in spreading hateful, far right views in Scotland.
Darren Hurrell, 20, was embroiled a ruck outside the Lanarkshire secondary school last week after he tried to recruit pupils to his vile cause.
We told earlier this week how Hurrell - whose name was not then apparent - wore a T-shirt with a Nazi symbol and declared his support for Hitler to the group of 50 youths in school uniform on October 28. Angry youngsters ran him out of the school area and police were called after reports of a disturbance.
Our sister paper, the Daily Record, revealed that Hurrell - from Lanarkshire - has been one of the main activists for the Patriotic Alternative group across the region and West of Scotland.
The group has repeatedly targeted Larkhall, bombarding people with extreme right wing propaganda.
Local Christina McKelvie MSP said she has written to police for a full report on the incident, saying: “There is no place in our society for this kind of divisive hate and it is particularly disgusting for it to have taken place at a school.
“This is of particular concern given the distribution of hate filled leaflets in Larkhall during the summer. The school has also been contacted to offer my support and inform them of the other organisations I have been in touch with regarding this incident.
They have reassured me that they are taking all necessary steps moving forward. Holocaust Education Trust have also been contacted to ask if there is any support they can provide.”
The Record has uncovered photos of Hurrell distributing the anti-immigration material previously in Larkhall in September. He also campaigned outside Buchanan Street subway in Glasgow, supporting a European fascist cause.
And Hurrell also posed for a recent photo with members of Patriotic Alternative, who included Kenneth McCourt, who joined the far right group despite serving in the Royal Navy.
In the most recent clip of Hurrell in Larkhall, he clutches leaflets and tells the pupils: “Hitler wanted a country for white people.
"He wanted a country for every other people to have a unique culture. Hitler took control of the media and the banks and put the interests of the German people first.”
When asked by a youth if the Holocaust was real, the extremist replies: “No, it’s not.”
The Nazi sympathiser can be heard saying, “I’m here to help you guys,” before storming off.
As he attempts to walk away, he is chased by the mob of schoolchildren, who go on to launch plastic water bottles at him.
One anti-fascist activist said: “It is now becoming clear that this young man is happy to represent explicitly some of the views that many on the far right hold, but choose not to trumpet.
"He is apparently using his support of Hitler as an opening shot, so his views are clearly reprehensible and dangerous.
“Groups like Patriotic Alternative tend to publicly offer a pretence of representing family values, while their real agenda is targeting immigrants.
"This man is remorselessly denying the holocaust and talking as though Hitler was a force for good.”
In September this year, MSP Christina McKelvie called for police to investigate after the Patriotic Alternative group circulated vile pamphlets, claiming the “rapid expansion” of migration “not only brings white Britons ever closer to becoming a minority, but it also has a number of negative effects on all our lives”.
It was revealed last year that the group was organising outdoor gatherings in the Scottish countryside, holding an annual conference in Stirling, followed by a gathering at Stirling Castle.
Police Scotland said a 20-year-old was arrested in connection with the incident at Larkhall Academy and is due to appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court on November 22.
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