OnTheWight always welcomes a Letter to the Editor to share with our readers – unsurprisingly they don’t always reflect the views of this publication. If you have something you’d like to share, get in touch and of course, your considered comments are welcome below.
This from Maggie Nelmes, Ventnor. Ed
Our government has finally taken action against Russian sanctions-busting by impounding, off the Isle of Wight, one of the seven hundred tankers transporting oil from Russia, mostly to India and China.
The profits from oil sales are used to fuel Russia’s war on Ukraine. Without oil revenues, Russia would have to stop the war. So why didn’t Starmer act much sooner on his promises to stop the tankers?
Beyond the oil tanker: a threat to democracy itself
This week I was shocked to learn the full extent of the threat that Russian influencers constitute to our democracy.
Not only are they interfering in our politics financially, but they are also trying to increase societal divisions to fuel hatred and violence on our city streets.
Russian links to the arson attack on Keir Starmer’s home
The men convicted on 15th June of setting fire to Keir Starmer’s house were believed to be taking orders from Russia, through a cash-for-sabotage offer posted on a Telegram messaging app for Ukrainian jobseekers.
BBC Panorama investigation reveals a far wider operation
Hope Not Hate’s research with the BBC’s Panorama team reveals that this was part of a far wider Russian operation to undermine society in countries perceived to be hostile to Russia.
Inciting the far right and Islamic extremists — at the same time
In the UK, Russian influencers from The Direct-Action Network tried to incite Islamic extremists and far right political groups, simultaneously, to carry out provocative and violent acts.
They promoted Tommy Robinson demonstrations. They shared terrorist manuals. They told far right groups to spray anti-Muslim graffiti on mosques. They tried to recruit graffiti artists to spray Islamic verses on buildings, not telling them it was without permission, and on Conservative party buildings.
A recognisable global playbook: dividing societies from within
There is a familiar pattern to these plans. In the USA, Russian influencer networks targeted both white supremacists and Black Lives Matter groups to try to stir up violence.
In Ukraine, they offered cash to anyone willing to attack the military recruitment headquarters.
The case for a full public inquiry
Hope Not Hate says
“The Direct Action plot is just the latest in a long series of attempts by Russia to interfere in Britain, divide communities and incite trouble. From the EU referendum campaign to amplifying anti-Muslim rhetoric during the 2017 terrorist attacks, bribing UKIP and Reform officials to inflaming community tensions during the 2024 riots, Russian activities in British politics needs to be thoroughly investigated in order to prevent them from happening again.
“Hope Not Hate is calling on the Government to launch a full public inquiry into Russian interference in British politics. Please add your name to its open letter to Keir Starmer.”
Open Letter: Russia Set Britain on Fire. We Demand an Inquiry. – HOPE not hate – Add your name to the Letter
