Parliament candidates and activists of the opposition Conservatives Party are being trained and indoctrinated by a far-right group fanning extremist ideologies.
"It beggars belief that the Conservative party should be so reliant for the training of some of its candidates and thousands of its young activists on an organization headed by people with such extremist views," Labour MP Jon Cruddas, who chairs a campaign against rightwing extremism in the election, told the Guardian Saturday, March 6.
At least 11 Tory candidates for the May general elections have partook in a recent training course run by the extremist rightwing Young Britons' Foundation.
The YBF is the main provider of training for young Conservative activists, according to sources close to the Tories.
"We have been described as a Conservative madrasah, so we bring the next generation out to the States and bring them back radicalized," YBF Co-founder and Chief Executive Donal Blaney said.
So far, the right-wing group has trained over 2,500 Conservative party activists.
Formed in 2003, the YBF has strong links with the American neo-conservative movement. It regularly sends activists to training trips to the US.
"We go into schools and we proselytize conservatism and we get hold of the best kids and train them up," Blaney said.
In 2008, Blaney took Tory activists to the Blue Ridge Arsenal in Virginia to train on using firearms.
According to his website, Blaney, who is responsible for training young politicians, believes that environmental protesters who trespass should be shot down.
He also supports waterboarding of prisoners and the adoption of America's liberal gun ownership laws.
To the shocking of the majority of Britons, Blaney also calls for scarping the national medical insurance system considering it a waste of money.
Embarrassing
The revelation has embarrassed the Tories, which are tipped to win the May general elections.
"It shows the conflict between the smiling, liberal face of (Conservative Party Leader David) Cameron and the real gut feeling that some Tories have," former deputy prime minister John Prescott told the Guardian.
"Cameron must disown the YBF now.
"This calls into question whether this organization reflects the true face of the Tory party."
When asked about their involvement with the right-wing group, Conservative Party officials tried to distance themselves from it.
"I am not endorsing them," said shadow defense secretary Liam Fox, who spoke at the annual YBF parliamentary rally at the House of Commons, which was chaired by Blaney.
"I was there explaining Conservative party policy on defense.
"I speak to lots of organizations; it doesn't mean I support them."
Conservative Party Chairman Eric Pickles also said he did not know about Blaney's extremist views.
Conservative Central Office also said it has no official links with the YBF and does not pay it for its services.
But it added that it strongly recommends activists to attend Blaney's courses.
"It beggars belief that the Conservative party should be so reliant for the training of some of its candidates and thousands of its young activists on an organization headed by people with such extremist views," Labour MP Jon Cruddas, who chairs a campaign against rightwing extremism in the election, told the Guardian Saturday, March 6.
At least 11 Tory candidates for the May general elections have partook in a recent training course run by the extremist rightwing Young Britons' Foundation.
The YBF is the main provider of training for young Conservative activists, according to sources close to the Tories.
"We have been described as a Conservative madrasah, so we bring the next generation out to the States and bring them back radicalized," YBF Co-founder and Chief Executive Donal Blaney said.
So far, the right-wing group has trained over 2,500 Conservative party activists.
Formed in 2003, the YBF has strong links with the American neo-conservative movement. It regularly sends activists to training trips to the US.
"We go into schools and we proselytize conservatism and we get hold of the best kids and train them up," Blaney said.
In 2008, Blaney took Tory activists to the Blue Ridge Arsenal in Virginia to train on using firearms.
According to his website, Blaney, who is responsible for training young politicians, believes that environmental protesters who trespass should be shot down.
He also supports waterboarding of prisoners and the adoption of America's liberal gun ownership laws.
To the shocking of the majority of Britons, Blaney also calls for scarping the national medical insurance system considering it a waste of money.
Embarrassing
The revelation has embarrassed the Tories, which are tipped to win the May general elections.
"It shows the conflict between the smiling, liberal face of (Conservative Party Leader David) Cameron and the real gut feeling that some Tories have," former deputy prime minister John Prescott told the Guardian.
"Cameron must disown the YBF now.
"This calls into question whether this organization reflects the true face of the Tory party."
When asked about their involvement with the right-wing group, Conservative Party officials tried to distance themselves from it.
"I am not endorsing them," said shadow defense secretary Liam Fox, who spoke at the annual YBF parliamentary rally at the House of Commons, which was chaired by Blaney.
"I was there explaining Conservative party policy on defense.
"I speak to lots of organizations; it doesn't mean I support them."
Conservative Party Chairman Eric Pickles also said he did not know about Blaney's extremist views.
Conservative Central Office also said it has no official links with the YBF and does not pay it for its services.
But it added that it strongly recommends activists to attend Blaney's courses.
