News

Year-long investigation by BBC Wales Investigates exposes far right group

Published

1 year ago

January 21, 2025

A YEAR-LONG undercover investigation by BBC Wales has prompted calls for a far right group to be banned and for the police to investigate some of its members who were secretly filmed making racist comments and saying migrants who refuse to leave the UK should be shot.

Broadcasting today on BBC iPlayer and BBC One Wales at 9.00pm, the BBC Wales Investigates programme, Unmasked: Extreme Far Right, follows a year-long investigation into far right group, Patriotic Alternative.

Former Counter-Extremism Commissioner Dame Sara Khan believes the UK government should urgently change the law to make groups like Patriotic Alternative illegal.

A BBC journalist infiltrated the group using a fake identity, Dan Jones, someone who was sofa surfing in Cardiff and didn’t have a full time job. Posing as a new recruit to PA he covertly recorded at demonstrations, got casual work with one member of the group, attended their summer camp as well as their secretive annual conference where he recorded some of PA’s members and supporters using racial slurs and sharing extreme views.

He filmed one PA member saying he believed a race war was inevitable and the organisation should use a similar tactic to the Nazi party to gain power. Another who says he works for the Inland Revenue, saying that he wants to see a whites only world and how he gives deliberately misleading information to non-white people at his work who he calls his “racial enemies.” Another said he wanted to see migrants rounded up, put in camps and shot if they refused to leave. And at the group’s annual conference, a guest speaker from Australia – a convicted criminal, Blair Cottrell, told the undercover journalist and other members how he thought the only way to deal with black criminals is for them to be skinned and their bodies hung up at traffic lights to deter others.

Barrister Ramya Nagesh watched some of the footage for the Unmasked: Extreme Far Right programme and said that in her view: “There’s more than enough evidence for the police to investigate and refer to the Crown Prosecution Service.”

The group cannot be banned under current legislation as they do not advocate terrorism but Dame Sara, the UK’s first Counter-Extremism Commissioner, feels they are “creating a climate conducive to terrorism”.

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

The undercover reporter known as Dan Jones has now left Patriotic Alternative.

When contacted by the BBC about Dan’s evidence, most of those secretly filmed refused to answer questions – but one accused the BBC of having an anti-white bias.

Mark Collett says the allegations in tonight’s programme will be investigated and action taken against members if they have broken the group’s code of conduct.

Unmasked: Extreme Far Right airs today (21 January) at 9pm on BBC One Wales and is available now on iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00279gm/bbc-wales-investigates-unmasked-extreme-far-right

Accompanying the programme, a six-part BBC Sounds podcast, Unmasked: Extreme Far Right, also launched today, tells the first-hand account from the reporter who went undercover. All six episodes are available to listen to now on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0kkv4t7

News

Fatal crash appeal after driver dies on A44 near Aberystwyth

Published

1 hour ago

May 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a driver died in a crash on the A44.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the collision happened at around 6:10pm on Tuesday (May 5) on the A44 between Capel Bangor and Goginan, near Aberystwyth

The crash involved a single vehicle, a white Volkswagen Golf, which was travelling eastbound towards Goginan when it left the carriageway.

Sadly, the driver died at the scene. Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

Police confirmed there were no other passengers in the vehicle.

Officers are now asking anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have dashcam footage from the area at the time, to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.

Charity

Milford Haven Beer Fest set for Bank Holiday return

Published

5 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Festival promises live music, Welsh ales and community spirit at the waterfront

MILFORD HAVEN Beer Fest is set to return later this month, with organisers promising another packed day of live music, craft drinks and festival atmosphere.

The popular annual event will take place at Milford Waterfront on Saturday, May 23, inside the Ascona Group Marquee, with doors opening at 12:00pm.

Organisers say no advance tickets will be available, with entry operating on a first come, first served basis. Another sell-out is expected and early arrival is strongly advised.

A wide range of Welsh breweries and drinks producers will be represented, including Tenby Harbwr Brewery, Bluestone Brewing Company, Gethin’s Cider, Mantle Brewery, Gower Brewery and Core of the Poodle.

Tiny Rebel Brewery will also be serving lagers, IPAs and its new stout, Coal Drop, while Barti Rum will showcase its latest canned drinks. Prosecco and Pimm’s will also be available.

Entertainment throughout the day will be hosted by Pure West Radio, with headliners 4th Street returning to the waterfront.

The line-up also includes a DJ set from former Welsh rugby international and British and Irish Lion Josh Navidi, alongside performances from Steve Bartram, Big Chicken, Jake Taylor, Function 22 and Natalie O’Brien.

Festivalgoers will also be able to enjoy a street food zone featuring Grub Tacos, Junkyard Dogs and Reeves BBQ.

Community support

Nathan Rees, chairman of Milford Haven Round Table said: “The Beer Festival is a huge highlight for us – not just for the atmosphere, but for the impact it has.

“Every penny raised goes back into the community, funding events like our Carnival and Fireworks and supporting local causes.

“We’re also incredibly grateful to The Ascona Group for their continued sponsorship and to the Port of Milford Haven for their ongoing support as our Major Events Partner, as well as all the Beer Festival sponsors for 2026.”

Ticket information

Entry costs £25 and includes four drink tokens, a festival cup and live entertainment throughout the day.

Additional drink tokens will cost £2.50 each, with cash and card accepted.

The event is strictly over-18s only.

Organisers say there will be a 100 per cent bag search policy, with visitors strongly advised not to bring bags. Free water will be available, and dogs will not be allowed.

Charity

Pembroke Dock charity shop expands to support hospice care

Published

5 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SHOP NOW OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AFTER EXPANSION INTO ADJOINING UNIT

A CHARITY shop in Pembroke Dock has expanded into a neighbouring unit to help raise more money for local hospice care.

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home has completed a knock-through at its shop in Bierspool, London Road, creating a larger retail space and allowing the charity to offer a wider range of items, including furniture.

The expanded shop was officially opened on Friday (May 1) by the outgoing Mayor of Pembroke Dock, Cllr Michelle Wiggins.

The shop team, led by Kelly Elliot and supported by volunteers, worked for several weeks to prepare the new-look store for customers.

Head of Retail Julia Brady welcomed guests at the opening, while the charity also thanked staff, volunteers and supporters who helped decorate and prepare the premises.

Special thanks were given to Gill at Pembroke Dock Tesco for donating treats for customers and staff on the day.

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home operates nine retail shops and an eBay department. Income from donations and sales helps fund the charity’s clinical teams, who provide free specialist palliative care to patients and families across Pembrokeshire.

The charity says it costs £3,600 every day to deliver its free clinical services. Around 30% of that cost is funded through Hywel Dda Health Board, with the remainder raised through retail income, fundraising and community support.

The Pembroke Dock shop is now open seven days a week, giving people more opportunities to shop, donate and support local hospice care.

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home was established in memory of Father Paul Sartori, a much-loved local priest who recognised the need for hospice care before his death from cancer at the age of 39.

The charity provides care for people with any life-limiting condition, not only cancer, and supports patients of all faiths and none. It operates an open referral system, with referrals accepted from patients, families, friends and healthcare professionals.

Paul Sartori Foundation Ltd operates under the name Paul Sartori Hospice at Home. The charity was registered in 1982 and will celebrate its 45th anniversary during 2027/2028.