Police 'must investigate' far-right group exposed by BBC

Warning: This story contains strong and offensive language.

Pressure is growing on police to investigate a far-right group exposed in an undercover BBC investigation.

Leading political and legal figures have said the police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have a "duty" to look at evidence gathered by the BBC Wales Investigates team into Patriotic Alternative (PA).

An undercover reporter spent a year investigating PA and its members in Wales who were filmed saying the group should mimic political tactics used by the Nazis and migrants should be shot.

Now a former government adviser on terrorism law, an ex-police and crime commissioner and a leading politician are all urging police action.

Former North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick K.C, said it was "essential" police and the CPS follow up on the report.

"They have a duty to look at the evidence," he said

"Some individuals say they are going to get arms and guns. That's going to incite others to do the same and through inciting they themselves are committing a crime."

PA leader Mark Collett said they were not extremist, do not promote violence and peacefully campaign for the rights of what he calls "indigenous British people".

The group, considered to be the UK's largest far-right group with about 500 members and thousands of followers online, says it exists to "raise awareness" of immigration and promote "family values".

Lord Carlile, who acted as the UK's Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation from 2001 to 2011, said the undercover report was "extremely concerning".

"It seems that organisation should be the subject of a police enquiry and possibly a charging decision by the director of public prosecutions," he told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"If the BBC reports are correct, there is at least the beginnings of evidence of incitement to commit crime, including violent crime against immigrants, and that is not acceptable in our society."

PA has regional branches around the UK and encourage members - including former teachers and nurses - to hold protests, highlight immigration issues, film their activities and share clips online.

The BBC Wales Investigates reporter infiltrated the group in Wales, posing as a new recruit and filming its activities.

One PA member said he believed a race war was inevitable and the organisation should use a similar tactic to the Nazi party to gain power.

Former counter-extremism commissioner Dame Sara Khan believes the UK government should urgently change the law to ban such groups.

Lord Carlile, who also served as MP for Montgomeryshire for 14 years until 1997, added: "People are entitled to form political parties and express strong views.

"But they are not allowed to incite crime and the reports suggest Patriotic Alternative may have crossed the line."

Sioned Williams, who sits on the Senedd's equality and social justice committee, backed calls to ban the group.

"The law needs to be looked at to designate extreme right-wing groups like these as terrorist groups," she said.

"They represent a threat to society and to a number of people from specific groups within our society."

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story you can visit BBC Action Line.