Ultra-right wing activists hijack Scots health campaign in 'Trojan horse' move

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Warnings have been issued over “Trojan Horse” ultra-right wing activists accused of trying to infiltrate campaign groups. Simon Crane – Scotland regional organiser for the extremist Homeland Party – set up a pressure group to demand funding for a new GP surgery for a village in West Lothian.

Crane – a member of East Calder and District Community Council – formed his own needless Facebook campaign just one day after a mainstream campaign by locals was launched on January 6.

Among Facebook followers are Homeland leader Kenny Smith – a former leader in the extremist BNP and Patriotic Alternative groups, who has no obvious links to the area.The Hope Not Hate anti-fascist group has compiled a report that warns key activists such as Crane are seeking footholds in local groups across the UK, while masking real, long-term goals including stopping immigration.Villagers in East Calder are being urged to turn up at a public meeting in the village on Wednesday to ensure Crane is not able to get voted on to a steering committee for the local protest.The Record previously published photos of Crane during his time as a member of the Patriotic Alternative group, where he stood shoulder to shoulder with former BNP official Smith.Smith led a splinter group to form the Homeland Party, now with members all over the UK and a PO Box address in Kirknewton, West Lothian, where Englishman Crane lives.East Calder activist Pauline Cowan said she was determined to ensure everyone in East Calder is made aware of Crane’s views.She said: “Simon Crane says very little locally about his dreadful right-wing beliefs but we know he has been a member of groups most people in East Calder would be horrified by.“The Daily Record has told about his ties to