The UK government has imposed a full asset freeze on the extreme-right group Blood and Honour, marking the first time a domestic sanctions regime has been used to combat right-wing terrorism. The move, announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government, aims to disrupt the group’s financial operations, as it is suspected of “being involved in terrorist activities.”
Asset Freeze Targets Far-Right Group and Affiliates
The sanctions, announced on Wednesday, make it illegal for anyone in the UK to provide funding or financial services to Blood and Honour or its affiliates, including aliases such as 28 Radio and Combat 18. In a statement, the UK government emphasized its commitment to countering terrorist financing, stating, “The designation of Blood and Honour is a clear signal that the UK works proactively to stop terrorist financing and will take action against any who try to exploit the UK financial system for this activity.”
Blood and Honour, a neo-Nazi organization founded in 1987 by Ian Stuart Donaldson, drew its name from a Nazi slogan used by the Hitler Youth. Its founder, who was also the lead singer of the skinhead band Skrewdriver, died in 1993.
Sanctions vs. Proscription: A New Approach
The asset freeze is part of a Treasury-led initiative, distinct from the Home Office’s use of proscription under the Terrorism Act. While six other white supremacist groups, including National Action and Sonnenkrieg Division, are proscribed in the UK, this marks a new step in combating far-right extremism through financial restrictions.
Broader Context of Far-Right Extremism
The sanctions against Blood and Honour follow a wave of attention on far-right extremism. Recently, Elon Musk called for the release of Tommy Robinson, a British far-right activist currently serving an 18-month prison sentence for defamation against Syrian refugee Jamal Hijazi. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has long been a controversial figure in the far-right movement.
The UK government’s sanctions underline a commitment to tackling right-wing extremism and preventing financial systems from being exploited to fund terrorism.
