LOCALS were stunned to discover a “wedding reception” in their village hall was actually a Nazi group’s rally.
Residents had assumed the 150 smartly dressed guests were attending a party.
Locals were stunned after ‘wedding reception’ in their village hall was actually a Nazi group’s rally
But the event was an AGM for white supremacist group Patriotic Alternative — complete with a live brass band, drinks and food.
The hall in Waltham on the Wolds, Leics, usually hosts the local Scouts, yoga classes, baby groups and wedding receptions.
Guest speakers at Saturday’s gathering included leader Mark Collett, formerly of the BNP, and Sam Melia — due to stand trial next year on race-hate charges.
Michael Walker, 60, who lives nearby, said: “They were dressed very smartly. It is a traditional village hall that holds Cubs and Scouts meetings and parent and baby sessions, then wedding receptions at the weekend.
“So we just assumed that was what it was. I was speechless when I found out what the event really was. I would be very surprised if the hall would have allowed it had they known.”
Another local said: “It just looked like a wedding. It is such a strange place to hold a right-wing convention.”
A spokesman for the hall said the booking “was made under an alias that did not alert us to the nature or content of the event”.
They went on: “We do not support Patriotic Alternative or any political group.”
MPs have called on Patriotic Alternative, which has protested against asylum seekers and has links to the outlawed group National Action, to be banned.
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