Far-right commentators keen to distance themselves from Christchurch shooter who shares every single one of their beliefs

Commentators and personalities with far-right views on immigration and nationalism have been quick to distance themselves from the Christchurch shooter who appears to have believed absolutely everything they have ever said.

An Australian man has been charged with murder after two mosque shootings saw 49 people killed and many more injured, and officials report the shooter released an anti-immigrant manifesto containing the sort of phrases and rhetoric normally associated with the President of the United States or prominent Brexiters.

However, many leading right-wing personalities have been quick to insist that the things they say have no effect on the people who hear them.

One such personality agreed to speak to us on the promise of anonymity – so we’ll call him Bligel Garage – told us, “Yes, there does appear to be some superficial agreement in what we say and what this shooter says.

“We both talk about the invasion of our native countries by Muslims, we both talk about the threat to our nation’s identities, and we both loudly proclaim that something must be done while invoking violent rhetoric.

“But I’ve not shot anyone brown, so that makes us completely different.

“Anyone who suggests this guy was inspired by people like me simply because he agreed with every position I’ve ever taken, and because he decided violence was the only way to address the violent extremist hordes invading our countries is absolutely nothing to do with me.”

Non-morons have however recognised that words matter, and that increasingly visible public figures demonising and dehumanising large groups of people because of their colour or religion will definitely encourage violent extremists to take matters into their own hands.

Maybe, just maybe, we’ll finally accept that extremist terrorists can also be radicalised white people who’ve been manipulated by the far-right into hating immigrants.