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Searchlight

Fighting against racism and fascism

Nick Griffin minder, Joe Owens, standing as ‘independent’ in Wavertree

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Amongst a number of the well-known far right characters standing as independents in the general election we find this choice specimen: veteran thug Joe Owens, a former minder for Nick Griffin with admitted links to Merseyside gangsters, in Liverpool Wavertree.

In 1982 Owens was jailed for posting packages containing razor blades to members of Liverpool’s Jewish community, and he served a further jail sentence twelve years later for possession of illegal weapons while working as a club doorman linked to organised crime.

Now he is a habitual online far right activist, describing himself as a ‘social media influencer’ trying to preserve Liverpool’s ‘unique character, traditions and cultural identity… No to cultural change’.

Owens is most famous for being charged in 1998 with the contract killing of George Bromley, a leading Liverpool gangster. After one of the main prosecution witnesses against Owens withdrew his evidence, the case collapsed, and Owens still maintains his innocence. Bromley’s murder remains unsolved.

Lucky old Wavetree…

What people are saying about Searchlight

Professor Colin Holmes

Professor Colin Holmes
Everyone who wants to understand contemporary racism and its historical background needs to read Searchlight.
Professor Colin Holmes
University of Sheffield

Nick Davies

Nick Davies

To investigate fascists takes real courage and unusual commitment. The government, police, mainstream media occasionally take a look, but in the UK only Searchlight have kept at it, relentlessly and admirably, regardless of threat or obstacle. It’s journalism that matters. A rare thing.

Nick Davies
Multi-award-winning investigative journalist and writer

Paul Holborow

Paul Holborow
In the campaign against the National Front, Searchlight provided a rich and utterly reliable basis for much ANL propaganda – particularly with reference to the two leading NF figures, John Tyndall and Martin Webster. The appearance of Tyndall in full nazi uniform, drawn from the archives of Searchlight, was a key part of ANL propaganda, coupled with deeply damaging nazi quotes from Webster.
Paul Holborow
Founding member of the ANL and National Organiser 1977-81

Alf Dubs

Lord Alf Dubs

Searchlight’s voice is more important than ever, and I am delighted that it will now be available to a wider audience than ever before in its new incarnation online. Searchlight has been extremely helpful over the years in exposing the far right, corruption, criminality and the murky links between organised crime and powerful interests in the UK and abroad. I wish Searchlight the very best.

Alf Dubs
Labour peer, former MP and Cabinet Minister, and Kindertransport child

Peter Hain

Peter Hain, founder of the ANL and friend of Searchlight

British Jews have been persecuted over the centuries; British blacks since the Windrush generation of the 1950s; British Muslims, especially after the Islamist 9/11 and then 7/7 terrorist attacks in New York 2001 and London 2005. But until the last few years there has not been a simultaneous threat against all three British communities of Jewish, Black and Muslim Britons – meaning the need for Searchlight has never been greater.

Peter Hain
Labour peer, former MP and Cabinet Minster

Paul Nowak

Paul Nowak
The essence of trade unionism is solidarity, fairness and equality – for all workers – from all backgrounds. That’s why our fight against the far-right has always been part of our movement’s DNA. Searchlight is an incredibly important resource for trade unions and members to understand the contemporary tactics of far-right activity. Their work and intelligence gathering over the years have been incredibly insightful for the work we do, and how we fight the scourge of fascism.
Paul Nowak
TUC General Secretary

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I remember when Griffin was given a spot on Any Questions and was treated like the monster he was David Dimbleby unusually, asked him questions with obvious hostility and contempt, Bonne Greer had her back turned he was closed down.
    Now., Farage is treated by the likes of Oxbridge Bruce as if he were an elder statesman with views that should be treated with respect; they shake his hand !
    What dd out parent’s generation die for ?