British Neo-nazi Leaders to Go on Trial; Face Prison Sentences

Colin Jordan, leader of the National Socialist Movement here, and three other members of the British neo-Nazi organization, were charged by the British Government this weekend with violating the Public Order Act which forbids any political organization from employing force or acting in such a way as to usurp the powers of the police.

Ordered to appear in court here next week along with Jordan to answer the charges were John Tyndall, Ian Kerr-Ritchie and Dennis Pirie. The four men were accused of “controlling an organization known as ‘Spearhead’ in contravention of Section 2 of the Public Order Act.” Spearhead is alleged to be an organization connected with the National Socialist Movement. The summonses, issued by Chief Magistrate Sir Robert Blundell, are returnable August 27.

If found guilty of the charges, Jordan and his associates face possible jail terms of up to two years. The charges against the four British neo-Nazis followed a raid on Jordan’s headquarters a week ago by Scotland Yard, in which large quantities of documents, uniforms, flags, swastikas and portraits of Adolf Hitler and Rudolf Hess were seized and turned over to Attorney General Sir John Hobson.

The decision by the Government to take legal proceedings against Jordan’s neo-Nazi group was made about a week after American Nazi party leader George Rockwell was arrested and deported to the United States, after he participated in an outdoor camp meeting sponsored by the British National Socialist movement.

Protests had been voiced in Parliament and in the British press over the recent activities of fascist organizations which have resulted in the arrest of some 200 persons during neo-Nazi rallies in Jewish neighborhoods here.