Britain First

FAR RIGHT group Britain First has threatened a “day of action” aimed at foreign people living in a Co Antrim town.

The threat was made by the group’s leader Paul Golding in a video posted on the groups’s website.

It came after members of the controversial group - including Golding - appeared to film several Romania and Bulgarian people who were randomly singled out as they walked through Ballymena.

Some of those tackled were asked if they received benefits, houses or money from the British government.

Several appeared to have limited English, while one man was able to say he didn’t speak the language.

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Golding claimed local people had “pleaded” with the British-based group to come to the town “because there has been wave after wave after wave of Bulgarian and Romanian gypsies that have just been placed in the town”.

He also said his group intends to target the town.

“Britain First is going to be holding a campaign here, a day of action,” he said.

“We are going to be leafleting the entire town.

“The locals we have spoken to are absolutely up in arms.

“Britain First is going to be exposing what’s happening here in Ballymena.”

Golding also criticised the DUP and claimed party councillors have called the police to report those who complained.

Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan dismissed the fringe group last night.

“I would clearly be appealing for people to ignore Britain First,” he said.

“Their agenda is to exploit the situation in Ballymena and pursue their own anti-immigration far right agenda.”

The Sinn Féin politician said and that statutory agencies need to work with the local community and “those who want to make Ballymena their home”.