A British Army Afghan battle veteran was at the heart of a neo-Nazi terrorist group which set its sights on recruiting within the armed forces.

White supremacist and self-confessed racist Corporal Mikko Vehvilainen, 34, believed in a coming "race war" and wanted to help establish an all-white stronghold in a Welsh village.

The Royal Anglian Regiment soldier was, it can now be reported, convicted after a trial in March of being a member of neo-Nazi terrorist group National Action, and was jailed for eight years.

Judge Melbourne Inman QC, sentencing, told Vehvilainen he had a "long and deep-seated adherence" to racist ideology.

Prosecutors said at his trial that he was working within the Army as a "recruiter" for the banned organisation.

It can now be revealed he was connected to three other soldiers, one of whom was thrown out of the Army.

The two others are understood to have been disciplined, though one has since left.

Before his conviction, Vehvilainen was considered an "outstanding" soldier who had risked his life for Queen and country.

The fallout from his trial led to Sergeant Major Glenn Haughton posting a social media video which said: "If you're a serving soldier or a would-be soldier, and you hold these intolerant and extremist views, as far as I'm concerned, there is no place for you in the British Army - so get out."