Keith Thompson
Encyclopedia
Keith Thompson is a veteran figure in the British
far right
who has been active in a number of movements down the years.
,, Thompson was a leading member of the Union Movement
, which he joined in the 1960s whilst completing his National service
. In 1973, following pressure from Thompson, Fred Shepherd, and others, the UM was renamed the Action Party. However, not long after and following a series of clashes with Jeffrey Hamm
- who was effectively leader of the Action Party given the retirement of Oswald Mosley
) - Thompson resigned, and the Action Party then changed its name back to Union Movement.
After his resignation, Thompson, along with Mike Griffin, joined the League of Saint George
, an umbrella movement of the far right
(although this origin of the League has been disputed by Thompson). Thompson has remained a leading figure in the League and has never officially endorsed any political party, although in 1982 he did share a platform with John Tyndall
and Ray Hill
on a speaking tour following the announcement of the formation of the British National Party
. The association was not to last however and Thompson has long since ended any involvement with the BNP.
Thompson continues to run Steven Books, as well as a more recent venture, the Searchlight Victims Support Group, which claims to oppose the work of Searchlight magazine and has actively sought to recruit from the Trades Union Congress
. This group publishes a journal New Target. Steven Books became the subject of controversy when it was revealed that their books could be bought online through Tesco
, although a Searchlight campaign has since ended this arrangement. Despite this, he has since been accused of working for Searchlight.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
far right
Far right
Far-right, extreme right, hard right, radical right, and ultra-right are terms used to discuss the qualitative or quantitative position a group or person occupies within right-wing politics. Far-right politics may involve anti-immigration and anti-integration stances towards groups that are...
who has been active in a number of movements down the years.
Biography
An OdinistOdinic Rite
The Odinic Rite is a religious organization, practicing a form of Northern Indo European religion termed Odinism after the chief god of Norse mythology, Odin...
,, Thompson was a leading member of the Union Movement
Union Movement
The Union Movement was a right-wing political party founded in Britain by Oswald Mosley. Where Mosley had previously been associated with a peculiarly British form of fascism, the Union Movement attempted to redefine the concept by stressing the importance of developing a European nationalism...
, which he joined in the 1960s whilst completing his National service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
. In 1973, following pressure from Thompson, Fred Shepherd, and others, the UM was renamed the Action Party. However, not long after and following a series of clashes with Jeffrey Hamm
Jeffrey Hamm
Edward Jeffrey Hamm was a leading British Fascist and supporter of Oswald Mosley.Born in Ebbw Vale, Wales, he came into contact with the British Union of Fascists during a family trip to London and joined in 1935 when he relocated to London although initially, due to his youth, his role in the...
- who was effectively leader of the Action Party given the retirement of Oswald Mosley
Oswald Mosley
Sir Oswald Ernald Mosley, 6th Baronet, of Ancoats, was an English politician, known principally as the founder of the British Union of Fascists...
) - Thompson resigned, and the Action Party then changed its name back to Union Movement.
After his resignation, Thompson, along with Mike Griffin, joined the League of Saint George
League of Saint George
The League of St. George is a Neo-Nazi organization based in the United Kingdom.-History:The League was formed around 1974 as a political club by Keith Thompson and Mike Griffin as a breakaway from the Action Party, founded by British fascist, Oswald Mosley. The League sought to continue what it...
, an umbrella movement of the far right
Far right
Far-right, extreme right, hard right, radical right, and ultra-right are terms used to discuss the qualitative or quantitative position a group or person occupies within right-wing politics. Far-right politics may involve anti-immigration and anti-integration stances towards groups that are...
(although this origin of the League has been disputed by Thompson). Thompson has remained a leading figure in the League and has never officially endorsed any political party, although in 1982 he did share a platform with John Tyndall
John Tyndall (politician)
John Hutchyns Tyndall was a British politician who was prominently associated with several fascist/neo-Nazi sects. However, he is best known for leading the National Front in the 1970s and founding the contemporary British National Party in 1982.The most prominent figure in British nationalism...
and Ray Hill
Ray Hill
Ray Hill was a leading figure in the British far right who went on to become a well-known informant.Born in Lancashire, he spent three years in the army before making his first steps in the far right with the Racial Preservation Society in Leicester in the late 1960s...
on a speaking tour following the announcement of the formation of the British National Party
British National Party
The British National Party is a British far-right political party formed as a splinter group from the National Front by John Tyndall in 1982...
. The association was not to last however and Thompson has long since ended any involvement with the BNP.
Thompson continues to run Steven Books, as well as a more recent venture, the Searchlight Victims Support Group, which claims to oppose the work of Searchlight magazine and has actively sought to recruit from the Trades Union Congress
Trades Union Congress
The Trades Union Congress is a national trade union centre, a federation of trade unions in the United Kingdom, representing the majority of trade unions...
. This group publishes a journal New Target. Steven Books became the subject of controversy when it was revealed that their books could be bought online through Tesco
Tesco
Tesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits...
, although a Searchlight campaign has since ended this arrangement. Despite this, he has since been accused of working for Searchlight.