Soldiers arrested on suspicion of being members of National Action neo-Nazi group
Four members of the Army have been arrested on suspicion of being members of banned neo-Nazi group National Action, it was revealed today.
The men, including a 22-year-old from Birmingham, were detained as part of a "pre-planned and intelligence-led" operation, said West Midlands Police.
The force said there was "no threat to the public's safety". An Army spokesman said: "We can confirm that a number of serving members of the Army have been arrested under the Terrorism Act for being associated with a proscribed far-right group.
"These arrests are the consequence of a Home Office Police Force led operation supported by the Army. This is now the subject of a civilian police investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment further. Any further inquiries should be made to the Home Office Police Force."
In a statement, West Midlands Police said the suspects were arrested "on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000; namely on suspicion of being a member of a proscribed organisation (National Action) contrary to sec 11 of the Terrorism Act".
A 32-year-old from Powys, a 24-year-old from Ipswich and a 24-year-old from Northampton were also among the group.
All four are being held at a police station in the West Midlands and a number of properties are being searched.
The arrests were carried out with West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit in conjunction with the Wales Extremism Counter Terrorism Unit and the East Midlands CTIU.
National Action became first extreme right-wing group to be banned under terrorism laws in December 2016.
It was banned, making it a crime to support or be a member, after December 16 last year.
It was the first time a far right group had been banned.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd said at the time: "National Action is a racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic organisation which stirs up hatred, glorifies violence and promotes a vile ideology, and I will not stand for it."
The Government said National Action was a neo-Nazi group established in 2013 with branches across the UK, and which the Government said is ‘concerned in terrorism’.
A Home Office spokesman said: “The group’s online propaganda material, disseminated via social media, frequently features extremely violent imagery and language. National Action also promoted and encouraged acts of terrorism after Jo Cox’s murder.”
People breaking proscription offences face up to 10 years in prison and an unlimited fines.
