Britain First#Facebook account

Britain First was founded by Jim Dowson, who ran a call centre in Dundonald, East Belfast, for the BNP. Dowson's links with the BNP as a fundraiser ended acrimoniously in October 2010 when he was accused of groping a female activist.{{cite news |last = Stewart |first = Stephen |title = BNP money man quits after model accuses him of groping her in hotel room |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151103142015/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/bnp-money-man-quits-after-1074247 |archive-date = 3 November 2015 |url = http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/bnp-money-man-quits-after-1074247 |work = Daily Record |location = Glasgow, Scotland |date=31 October 2010}}
- {{cite news |last = Stewart |first = Stephen |title = Exposed: Scottish BNP No.2 unmasked as man behind Britain First Defence Force's sickening invasion of mosques |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150930124119/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/exposed-scottish-bnp-no2-unmasked-3607390 |archive-date = 30 September 2015 |url = http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/exposed-scottish-bnp-no2-unmasked-3607390 |work = Daily Record |location = Glasgow, Scotland |date=26 May 2014}} A former Calvinist minister,{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/britain-first-far-right-anti-muslim-extremists-mosques|title=Britain First: inside the extremist group targeting mosques|date=19 June 2014|work=Channel 4 News|access-date=20 June 2014|archive-date=2 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102173957/https://www.channel4.com/news/britain-first-far-right-anti-muslim-extremists-mosques|url-status=live}} Dowson is a Scottish Christian fundamentalist. Based in Ballygowan, Northern Ireland, he also led an anti-abortion campaign, the UK Life League. He is linked to Ulster loyalist groups in Northern Ireland.

Other former officials from the BNP joined Dowson in the formation of Britain First. Its current leader, Paul Golding, had been a district councillor in Sevenoaks, Kent, in 2009–2011 representing the BNP,{{cite news |last = Madden |first = Sophie |title = Former BNP Councillor Paul Golding heads Britain First nationalist movement |url = http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/9069403.Ex_Swanley_BNP_councillor_heads_new_nationalist_movement/ |work = News Shopper |date = 8 June 2011 |access-date = 26 April 2013 |archive-date = 24 May 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130524025605/http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/9069403.Ex_Swanley_BNP_councillor_heads_new_nationalist_movement/ |url-status = live }} as well as the BNP's Communications Officer.{{cite web |title = Paul Golding |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141129034952/http://www.bnp.org.uk/category/person/paul-golding |archive-date = 29 November 2014 |url = http://www.bnp.org.uk/category/person/paul-golding |publisher = British National Party }} Britain First was launched through the "British Resistance" website in May 2011.{{cite web |title = Introducing Britain First |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110529100650/http://www.thebritishresistance.co.uk/pp-news/980-introducing-britain-first |archive-date = 29 May 2011 |url = http://thebritishresistance.co.uk/pp-news/980-introducing-britain-first |website = thebritishresistance.co.uk |publisher = The British Resistance |date = 26 May 2011 |access-date = 26 April 2013 |url-status = dead}} Others involved in Britain First's launch included the former South East regional organiser of the BNP, Andy McBride, and Kevin Edwards, a former BNP councillor and organiser in Wales.

The party's structure is similar to that of Ulster loyalist groups in Northern Ireland, insofar as the group has a political wing backed up by a paramilitary action force (named "Britain First Defence Force").{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}} The action force's members assume titles such as "provost marshal", and a document written by Jim Dowson said that "I have lived in the worst trouble spots of Belfast; I have had high powered machine gun fire rip bricks from my house and have been injured by grenade attack. Sometimes we had to defend our homes from the traditional enemy, other times from the forces of the state, the police and army."

Britain First announced in 2014 its intention to launch in America as "America First" (not to be confused with America First Party or President Donald Trump's 2018 United States federal budget, America First), but it failed to materialise.{{cite web | title = Britain First and our American activists launch "America First" | archive-url = https://archive.today/20170123123007/https://www.britainfirst.org/britain-first-american-activists-launch-america-first/ | archive-date = 23 January 2017 | url = https://www.britainfirst.org/britain-first-american-activists-launch-america-first/ | website = britainfirst.org | publisher = Britain First | date = October 2014 | access-date = 3 December 2017 }}

Britain First owes much of its influence to the rise of social media. When Facebook was initially pressed on the matter of allowing Britain First on its platform, it simply stated, "Facebook is used by parties and supporters of many political persuasions to campaign for issues they feel passionately about."{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/britain-first-ban-facebook|title=If Facebook bans Britain First, what's the point of Facebook?|last=Reynolds|first=Matt|date=19 April 2019|magazine=Wired UK|access-date=10 November 2019|issn=1357-0978|archive-date=10 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110224511/https://www.wired.co.uk/article/britain-first-ban-facebook|url-status=live}}

In November 2015, Britain First claimed that its Facebook page had over a million "likes", more than any other British political party{{cite news|last1=Withnall|first1=Adam|title=Britain First far-right group claims to be 'first political party' to reach 1 million likes on Facebook|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/britain-first-far-right-group-claims-to-be-first-political-party-to-reach-1-million-likes-on-a6728991.html|access-date=14 November 2015|work=The Independent|date=10 November 2015|archive-date=13 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151113011220/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/britain-first-far-right-group-claims-to-be-first-political-party-to-reach-1-million-likes-on-a6728991.html|url-status=live}} or the British Prime Minister, David Cameron.{{cite news|last1=Tomchak|first1=Anne-Marie|title=#BBCtrending: The rise of Britain First online|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29525146|access-date=9 October 2014|work=BBC News|date=9 October 2014|archive-date=9 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009093650/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29525146|url-status=live}} At the end of November, Facebook briefly closed the Britain First page for breaching its community guidelines. The group also had to remove two photos published without permission.{{Cite news|last = Eleftheriou-Smith|first = Loulla-Mae|title = Britain First is trying to accuse Facebook of fascism|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britain-first-claims-fascist-facebook-has-closed-down-group-s-page-on-social-network-a6754651.html|work = The Independent|access-date = 1 December 2015|date = 30 November 2015|archive-date = 3 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151203023148/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britain-first-claims-fascist-facebook-has-closed-down-group-s-page-on-social-network-a6754651.html|url-status = live}}
- {{Cite news|last = Duffy|first = Nick|title = Facebook reverts ban on Britain First under 'hate speech' rules|url = http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/11/30/facebook-shuts-down-far-right-group-britain-first-under-hate-speech-rules/|work = Pink News|access-date = 1 December 2015|date = 30 November 2015|archive-date = 3 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151203014244/http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/11/30/facebook-shuts-down-far-right-group-britain-first-under-hate-speech-rules/|url-status = live}} It later called Facebook "fascist".{{cite news | last = Griffin | first = Andrew | title = Britain First Facebook page restored after far-right group labelled social network 'fascist' for taking it down | work = The Independent | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151203033911/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/britain-first-facebook-page-restored-hours-after-far-right-group-accused-social-network-of-being-a6754851.html | archive-date = 3 December 2015 | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/britain-first-facebook-page-restored-hours-after-far-right-group-accused-social-network-of-being-a6754851.html | date = 30 November 2015 | access-date = 2 December 2015 | url-status = live}} By October 2017, it had 2 million Facebook followers.

Despite the initial unwillingness to regulate Britain First and similar movements, public pressure continued to mount. In December 2017, Twitter suspended the accounts of Britain First and its leaders Golding and Fransen, after revising its rules on hate speech.{{cite news|title=Twitter suspends Britain First leaders|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-42402570|work=BBC News|access-date=19 December 2017|date=18 December 2017|archive-date=19 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219003051/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-42402570|url-status=live}} When asked, Twitter declined to comment, citing privacy and security reasons. In March 2018, Britain First was banned from Facebook, which said it broke community guidelines and was designed to incite racial hatred.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-43398417|title=Facebook bans Britain First pages|work=BBC News|date=14 March 2018|access-date=14 March 2018|archive-date=14 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314134636/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-43398417|url-status=live}} In its official statement on the matter, Facebook stated that this was due to "repeatedly posted content designed to incite animosity and hatred against minority groups". This was received very positively among many across the political spectrum. In a statement, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said, "Britain First is a vile and hate-fuelled group whose sole purpose is to sow division. Their sick intentions to incite hatred within our society via social media are reprehensible, and Facebook’s decision to remove their content is welcome."{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/14/facebook-bans-britain-first-and-its-leaders|title=Facebook bans Britain First and its leaders|last1=Hern|first1=Alex|last2=Rawlinson|first2=Kevin|date=14 March 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=10 November 2019|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=7 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007182643/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/14/facebook-bans-britain-first-and-its-leaders|url-status=live}}

In January 2019, after a period in prison for religiously aggravated harassment, Jayda Fransen stepped down from her position as deputy leader and left the party completely.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/folkestone/news/britain-first-deputy-leader-quits-197263/|title=Britain First deputy leader quits|date=19 January 2019|website=Kent Online|access-date=24 April 2020|archive-date=18 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418144945/https://www.kentonline.co.uk/folkestone/news/britain-first-deputy-leader-quits-197263/|url-status=live}}

In November 2011, Britain First announced the registration of a political party, the "National People's Party", with Golding named as leader, Edwards as nominating officer and McBride as treasurer.{{cite web |url=http://www.britainfirst.org/about-us/people/ |title=The Britain First leadership team |website=britainfirst.org |publisher=Britain First |date=21 November 2011 |access-date=20 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410050133/http://www.britainfirst.org/about-us/people/ |archive-date=10 April 2013 |url-status=dead }}
- {{cite web |url=http://www.britainfirst.org/britain-first/national-peoples-party-authorised-by-electoral-commission/ |title=National People's Party official public launch |website=britainfirst.org |publisher=Britain First |date=21 November 2011 |access-date=20 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130420145923/http://www.britainfirst.org/britain-first/national-peoples-party-authorised-by-electoral-commission/ |archive-date=20 April 2013 |url-status=dead }} However, the Electoral Commission register shows Britain First listed itself from November 2011 as a political party, with the same roles for the three officers, and no current or past listing for a National People's Party,{{cite web | title =Register of political parties | url =http://electoralcommission.org.uk | website =electoralcommission.org.uk | publisher =Electoral Commission | access-date =27 May 2021 | archive-date =22 May 2021 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20210522181306/http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/ | url-status =live }} so it is not clear whether the National People's Party has a separate existence. The Britain First website carries a constitution for the Party stating, among other things, that "The campaign group Britain First will ... be entitled to put forward a representative to sit on the Standing Committee", a six-person group "tasked with the direction of the Party and running all its affairs".{{cite web|url=http://www.britainfirst.org/constitution/|title=National People's Party constitution|website=britainfirst.org|publisher=Britain First|access-date=26 April 2013|archive-date=9 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509212752/http://www.britainfirst.org/constitution/|url-status=live}}

The principal figures in Britain First, Dowson and Golding, launched a new political party in Northern Ireland in April 2013.{{cite news |last = Young |first = Connla |title = Union flag protesters launch new party |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430092418/http://www.irishnews.com/news/union-flag-protesters-launch-new-party-1250590 |archive-date = 30 April 2013 |url = http://www.irishnews.com/news/union-flag-protesters-launch-new-party-1250590 |work = The Irish News |date = 25 April 2013 }} Dowson was registered with the Electoral Commission as the Protestant Coalition's leader, and Golding as its treasurer. However, Dowson stated at the launch that the Coalition had no single leader.

Golding had flown into Belfast in December 2012 to help co-ordinate protests over the decision by Belfast City Council to limit the flying of the Union flag over Belfast City Hall.{{cite news |last = McAleese |first = Deborah |title = Former BNP man and Nick Griffin ex-crony Paul Golding flies to Belfast for loyalist flag protest |url = http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/former-bnp-man-and-nick-griffin-excrony-paul-golding-flies-to-belfast-for-loyalist-flag-protest-29005554.html |work = Belfast Telegraph |date = 15 December 2012 |access-date = 26 April 2013 |archive-date = 2 August 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140802044854/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/former-bnp-man-and-nick-griffin-excrony-paul-golding-flies-to-belfast-for-loyalist-flag-protest-29005554.html |url-status = live }} Dowson had been prominent in the protests, and at the time of the launch, was awaiting trial for public order offences, as was another of the Coalition's founders, Willie Frazer.

The website and logo of the Protestant Coalition closely resembled those of Britain First, although neither site explicitly mentioned an organisational link.{{cite web | last = Murdock | first = Jason | title = The Shambolic Genesis of The Protestant Coalition | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130815134230/http://atheismnorthernireland.com/2013/04/24/the-shambolic-genesis-of-the-protestant-coalition/ | archive-date = 15 August 2013 |url = http://atheismnorthernireland.com/2013/04/24/the-shambolic-genesis-of-the-protestant-coalition/ | website = atheismnorthernireland.com | publisher = Atheism: Northern Ireland | date = 24 April 2013 }} A comparison of the sites.

In July 2014, founder Jim Dowson left Britain First. The Daily Mirror and The Independent wrote that Dowson left because of the party's "mosque invasions", which he considered to be "provocative and counterproductive", as well as "unacceptable and unchristian" and "just as bad" as Anjem Choudary. Paul Golding reacted to this by saying that Britain First was, "as far as right-wing organisations go, relatively scandal-free".{{cite news|last=Sommerlad|first=Nick|title=Britain First founder quits over mosque invasions which attract racists and extremists|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/britain-first-founder-quits-over-3923810|access-date=29 July 2014|work=Daily Mirror|date=27 July 2014|archive-date=28 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728220515/http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/britain-first-founder-quits-over-3923810|url-status=live}}
- {{cite news | last = Dearden | first = Lizzie | title = Britain First founder Jim Dowson quits over mosque invasions and 'racists and extremists' | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britain-first-founder-jim-dowson-quits-over-mosque-invasions-and-racists-and-extremists-9632770.html | work = The Independent | date = 28 July 2014 | access-date = 25 August 2017 | archive-date = 5 October 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171005024943/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britain-first-founder-jim-dowson-quits-over-mosque-invasions-and-racists-and-extremists-9632770.html | url-status = live }}

Britain First itself denied the Mirror{{'s}} story, calling it "chief communist newspaper and lover of all things anti-British". The party claimed to have published a farewell letter from Dowson, in which he cited fatigue and the safety of his family as his reasons to leave.{{cite web|last1=McBride|first1=Andrew|title="Don't believe the media lies!" – Statement from Deputy Leader Andy McBride|url=https://www.britainfirst.org/dont-believe-media-lies-statement-deputy-leader-andy-mcbride/|website=britainfirst.org|publisher=Britain First|access-date=29 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729173223/https://www.britainfirst.org/dont-believe-media-lies-statement-deputy-leader-andy-mcbride/|archive-date=29 July 2014|url-status=dead}}

In July 2017, it was reported by BBC News that a string of Britain First videos designed to attract a Polish audience had appeared online, including a video from Jacek Miedlar, a Polish far-right former priest, an interview with a Polish media outlet that has over half a million views, and videos by Polish Britain First supporters encouraging others to support the party.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-40509632|title=The anti-immigration party trying to recruit immigrants|last=Devlin|first=Kayleen|date=11 July 2017|work=BBC News|access-date=26 January 2018|archive-date=9 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109224118/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-40509632|url-status=live}}

On 23 June 2017, Marek Zakrocki, a 48-year-old Polish-born Britain First supporter, shouted, "White power" and gave a Nazi salute as he used a white van in an attempt to run over Kamal Ahmed, a curry house owner. The van mounted the pavement twice before making contact with Ahmed and the windows of the curry house were also smashed. Hours earlier, Zakrocki had told the police, "I'm going to kill a Muslim. I'm doing it for Britain." Copies of Britain First newspapers and flyers were found in Zackrocki's home and he also said he had donated money to the organisation.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-42223156|title=Nazi-salute man drove at curry shop owner|date=4 December 2017|work=BBC News|access-date=26 January 2018|archive-date=25 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125232908/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-42223156|url-status=live}}
- {{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/04/polish-born-britain-first-supporter-tried-run-curry-house-boss/|title=Polish born Britain First supporter tried to run over curry house boss|last=Evans|first=Martin|date=4 December 2017|work=The Telegraph|access-date=26 January 2018|issn=0307-1235|archive-date=27 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127083758/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/04/polish-born-britain-first-supporter-tried-run-curry-house-boss/|url-status=live}}

In September 2019, Britain First's former deputy leader Jayda Fransen declared that she was "actually delighted at Boris's work so far" and called for an alliance between the Conservative Party and the Brexit Party in the next general election.{{cite news|work=Vice News|title=Boris Loses Support of His Own Family, But Gains a Fan in Tommy Robinson|date=9 September 2019|url=https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/vb5bv3/tommy-robinson-endorses-boris-johnson|access-date=29 December 2019|archive-date=29 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229185423/https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/vb5bv3/tommy-robinson-endorses-boris-johnson|url-status=live}}

Following Johnson's victory in the 2019 United Kingdom general election, Britain First sent an email to supporters calling on them to join the Conservative Party in order "to make Boris Johnson's leadership more secure", stating that its chief of staff had campaigned for the Conservatives at the last election, and expressing a desire to play an equivalent role to that of Momentum within the Labour Party.{{cite news|work=The Independent|title=Britain First urges supporters to join Conservative Party 'to make Boris Johnson's leadership more secure'|date=18 December 2019|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-far-right-extremists-join-conservatives-support-britain-first-a9252201.html|access-date=29 December 2019|archive-date=19 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219213709/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-far-right-extremists-join-conservatives-support-britain-first-a9252201.html|url-status=live}} Subsequently, Britain First's leader, Paul Golding, announced that he had joined the Conservative Party, hailing Johnson's remarks on the burqa as evidence that Johnson is a "populist nationalist under the surface". However, the party said that his application had not been approved.{{cite news|title=Britain First leader officially joins Conservative Party: 'Boris Johnson is like us'|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/paul-golding-conservatives-britain-first-boris-johnson-muslim-women-letterboxes-a9254061.html|date=19 December 2019|access-date=29 December 2019|archive-date=29 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229185425/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/paul-golding-conservatives-britain-first-boris-johnson-muslim-women-letterboxes-a9254061.html|url-status=live}}

On 28 December 2019, Britain First claimed that 5,000 of its members had joined the Conservatives in order to "support Boris Johnson’s stance on radical Islam". Britain First's spokeswoman, Ashlea Simon, stated that the organisation's followers "appreciate Priti Patel's and Boris Johnson's hardline approach" to terrorism.{{cite news|work=The Guardian|title=Britain First says 5,000 of its members have joined Tories|date=28 December 2019|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/dec/28/britain-first-far-right-members-5000-have-joined-tories|access-date=29 December 2019|archive-date=28 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228145053/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/dec/28/britain-first-far-right-members-5000-have-joined-tories|url-status=live}}

Britain First registered with the Electoral Commission on 10 January 2014. In 2014, the party registered the phrase "Remember Lee Rigby" for use in the 2014 European elections. The chair of the Electoral Commission later issued an apology "for the offence that has been caused" by accepting the registration.{{cite news | title = Electoral Commission issues grovelling apology after extremist party, Britain First, uses Lee Rigby slogan | url = http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/04/26/electoral-commission-britain-first-lee-rigby_n_5217680.html | work = Huffington Post | date = 26 April 2014 | access-date = 27 April 2014 | archive-date = 27 April 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140427201656/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/04/26/electoral-commission-britain-first-lee-rigby_n_5217680.html | url-status = live }}
- {{cite news | last = Britton | first = Paul | title = Lee Rigby's mother outraged after political party allowed to use his name on ballot papers | url = http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/lee-rigbys-mother-outraged-after-7037042 | work = Manchester Evening News | publisher = Trinity Mirror | date = 26 April 2014 | access-date = 27 April 2014 | archive-date = 27 April 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140427011034/http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/lee-rigbys-mother-outraged-after-7037042 | url-status = live }} When questioned by Andrew Neil on the BBC's Daily Politics about the offence caused to Rigby's mother, Paul Golding said, "We apologise to the mother of Lee Rigby, but it was a major act of terrorism, it was a big public event. He was a serving soldier." Britain First stood candidates for the 2014 European elections in Wales{{cite news|title=Vote 2014: European election candidates for Wales|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-27127311|access-date=12 May 2014|work=BBC News|date=28 April 2014|archive-date=1 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140501091558/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-27127311|url-status=live}} and Scotland.{{cite news|title=Vote 2014: European election candidates for Scotland|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27128651|access-date=12 May 2014|newspaper=BBC News|date=28 April 2014|archive-date=11 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140511044322/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27128651|url-status=live}} It encouraged English supporters, in the absence of a Britain First candidate, to instead vote for the English Democrats or the UK Independence Party (UKIP), while warning against voting for the BNP.{{cite web|title=Who to vote for tomorrow if not Britain First?|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=473136309498302&set=vb.300455573433044&type=2&theater|work=Britain First|publisher=Facebook|access-date=21 May 2014|archive-date=10 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110164004/https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=473136309498302&set=vb.300455573433044&type=2&theater|url-status=live}} The party came 8th of 11 in Wales, with 6,633 votes (0.9%),{{cite news|title=Vote 2014 - Wales|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/eu-regions/W08000001|work=BBC News|access-date=25 May 2014|archive-date=26 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140526013951/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/eu-regions/W08000001|url-status=live}} and 7th of 9 in Scotland with 13,639 votes (1.02%, more than the BNP).{{cite news|title=Vote 2014 - Scotland|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/eu-regions/S15000001|work=BBC News|access-date=26 May 2014|archive-date=26 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140526004438/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/eu-regions/S15000001|url-status=live}}

Britain First stood its first parliamentary candidate for the Rochester and Strood by-election on 20 November 2014, nominating its Deputy Leader, Jayda Fransen. The party had been active in nearby Gillingham in opposition to a planned mosque.{{cite news|last=Francis|first=Paul|title=George Osborne, Theresa May and Chris Grayling to visit Rochester and Strood ahead of by-election caused by Mark Reckless' defection to Ukip|url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/top-tories-to-hit-campaign-25513/|access-date=24 October 2014|work=Kent Online|date=18 October 2014|archive-date=20 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020185702/http://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/top-tories-to-hit-campaign-25513|url-status=live}} Royal Mail refused to deliver a leaflet for the party because it believed it to be illegal. The company said it could refuse to carry election mail if it considered the contents threatening or abusive.{{cite news | title = Britain First Rochester election mail leaflet dubbed illegal | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-29858335 | work = BBC News | date = 31 October 2014 | access-date = 21 June 2018 | archive-date = 6 November 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181106214404/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-29858335 | url-status = live }} UKIP won the by-election. Britain First finished 9th of 13 candidates, with 56 votes (0.14%), finishing below the Monster Raving Loony Party (with 151 votes, 0.38%) and above the Patriotic Socialist Party (with 33 votes, 0.08%).{{cite web | title = Rochester and Strood Constituency Parliamentary By-Election 20 November 2014 | url = http://www.medway.gov.uk/pdf/Rochester%20and%20Strood%20By-election.pdf | website = medway.gov.uk | publisher = Medway Council | access-date = 7 April 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304185518/http://www.medway.gov.uk/pdf/Rochester%20and%20Strood%20By-election.pdf | archive-date = 4 March 2016 | url-status = dead }} At the count, the BBC News reporter Nick Robinson was criticised on Twitter for taking a selfie with Fransen, stating that he did not know who she was and that he would check before appearing in any future photographs.{{cite news|last1=Swinford|first1=Steven|title=Nick Robinson apologises for Britain First 'selfie'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/11245011/Nick-Robinson-apologises-for-Britain-First-selfie.html|access-date=22 November 2014|work=The Telegraph|date=21 November 2014|archive-date=24 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141124051106/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/11245011/Nick-Robinson-apologises-for-Britain-First-selfie.html|url-status=live}}

On 27 September 2015, Paul Golding announced that he would stand as a candidate in the 2016 London mayoral election. He received 31,372 or 1.2% of the vote, coming eighth of twelve candidates.{{cite news|title=London elections 2016: results|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2016/london/results|access-date=7 May 2016|work=BBC News|archive-date=21 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721113129/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2016/london/results|url-status=live}} During the victory speech of Labour's Sadiq Khan, he turned his back.{{cite news|title=Britain First candidate turns back on Khan speech|url=http://www.itv.com/news/update/2016-05-07/britain-first-candidate-turns-back-on-khan-speech/|access-date=7 May 2016|website=ITV News|date=7 May 2016|archive-date=8 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508114221/http://www.itv.com/news/update/2016-05-07/britain-first-candidate-turns-back-on-khan-speech/|url-status=live}}

In February 2017, Britain First was statutorily deregistered as a political party by the Electoral Commission, after it failed to renew its registration in time. The group was fined £44,000 in July 2019 by the Electoral Commission for a number of offences including undeclared donations and a failure to provide proper accounts.{{cite news|first1=Nadeem|last1=Badshah|access-date=21 February 2020|title=Britain First leader Paul Golding charged by anti-terror police|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/feb/21/britain-first-leader-paul-golding-charged-by-anti-terror-police|newspaper=The Guardian|date=21 February 2020|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=21 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221021837/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/feb/21/britain-first-leader-paul-golding-charged-by-anti-terror-police|url-status=live}} On 27 September 2021, Britain First's application to be registered as a political party was approved by the Electoral Commission.Multiple sources:

• {{cite news |title=Far-right group Britain First registers as a political party |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-58713102 |access-date=5 November 2021 |work=BBC News |date=27 September 2021 |archive-date=15 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015093334/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-58713102 |url-status=live }}
• {{cite web|url=http://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/English/Registrations/PP12823|publisher=Electoral Commission|title=Registration summary: Britain First|date=27 September 2021|accessdate=6 November 2021|archive-date=28 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928110434/http://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/english/registrations/pp12823|url-status=live}} Golding then announced that the party intended to stand candidates for election in the near future.{{cite news |title=Far-right group Britain First allowed to register as political party |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/britain-first-political-party-electoral-commission-b1927943.html |access-date=5 November 2021 |work=The Independent |first=Lizzie |last=Dearden |date=28 September 2021 |archive-date=3 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103161732/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/britain-first-political-party-electoral-commission-b1927943.html |url-status=live }}

Britain First fielded three candidates in the local elections on 5 May 2022. Its best result was for Ashlea Simon, chairwoman and treasurer of the party, who came second in the Walkden North ward of Salford City Council with 508 votes and 21.6% vote share.{{cite web|access-date=7 May 2022|title=Election results|publisher=Salford City Council|url=https://www.salford.gov.uk/your-council/elections-and-voting/elections/election-results/|archive-date=9 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509085218/https://www.salford.gov.uk/your-council/elections-and-voting/elections/election-results/|url-status=live}} In the Brynna and Llanharan ward of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, BF finished last with 191 votes and 3.6% vote share.{{cite web|access-date=7 May 2022|title=County Borough Council Election Results 2022|publisher=Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council|url=https://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/Council/Votingandelections/Electionresults/ElectionResults2022/CountyBoroughCouncilElectionResults2022.aspx|archive-date=6 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506104404/https://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/Council/Votingandelections/Electionresults/ElectionResults2022/CountyBoroughCouncilElectionResults2022.aspx|url-status=live}} In the Eltham Page ward of Greenwich London Borough Council, its candidate came 6th out of 7 with 255 votes and a 6.4% vote share.{{cite web|publisher=Royal Borough of Greenwich|access-date=7 May 2022|title=2022 local elections results|url=https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/200154/council_and_elections/2362/2022_local_elections_results/7}}

Simon was the Britain First candidate in the 2022 Wakefield by-election. She finished 8th of 15 candidates, with 311 votes (1.1%).{{Cite web|url=https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/elections/elections-2022/by-election-results-2022|title=By election results 2022|date=24 June 2022|publisher=Wakefield Council|accessdate=25 June 2022|archive-date=23 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623211626/https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/elections/elections-2022/by-election-results-2022|url-status=dead}} She was also the Britain First candidate in the 2023 Tamworth by-election. She finished 4th of 9 candidates, with 580 votes (2.3%) getting more votes than the Liberal Democrats, the Green party and UKIP.

In the local elections on 4 May 2023, Britain First stood eight candidates. Golding stood in Swanscombe in Dartford, receiving 8.9% of the votes cast, while Deputy Leader Ashlea Simon stood for a second time in Walkden North, Salford, receiving 18.1% of the votes cast,{{cite web |title=Local Elections 2023: Candidate Round-up |date=2 May 2023 |url=https://hopenothate.org.uk/2023/05/02/local-elections-2023-candidate-round-up/ |publisher=HOPE not hate |access-date=2 May 2023 |archive-date=13 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513065000/https://hopenothate.org.uk/2023/05/02/local-elections-2023-candidate-round-up/ |url-status=live }} neither succeeding in their bid.

Alex Merola was the Britain First candidate in the 2024 Wellingborough by-election.{{Cite news |date=2024-01-30 |title=Alex Merola – Britain First |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0h805l6 |access-date=2024-02-14 |website=BBC Radio Northampton |archive-date=14 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214190209/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0h805l6 |url-status=live }} He finished 8th of 11 candidates, with 477 votes (1.6%). Nick Scanlon was the Britain First candidate in the 2024 London mayoral election.{{cite news |author=Tim Donovan |title=London mayor election 2024: 13 candidates make the cut |work=BBC News |date=29 March 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-68684761}} He received 20,519 or 0.8% of the vote, coming twelfth of thirteen candidates, notably behind Count Binface, a parody candidate.{{Cite news |title=London Mayor Election 2024 Candidates and Results |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election/2024/england/mayors/E12000007 |access-date=2024-05-29 |work=BBC News |archive-date=28 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528235225/https://www.bbc.com/news/election/2024/england/mayors/E12000007 |url-status=live }} In the 2024 London Assembly election the party received 32,085 or 1.3% of the vote, coming eighth out of fifteen.{{Cite web |title=Total London-wide results 2024 |url=https://www.londonelects.org.uk/im-voter/election-results/results-2024/results-2024-elections/total-london-wide-results-2024 |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=London Elects |archive-date=29 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240529084240/https://www.londonelects.org.uk/im-voter/election-results/results-2024/results-2024-elections/total-london-wide-results-2024 |url-status=live }}

In May 2013, following the murder of Lee Rigby, Britain First released a video threatening to place Muslim cleric Anjem Choudary, who was accused of radicalising Rigby's killers, under citizen's arrest if the Metropolitan Police would not arrest him.{{cite web|last1=Allen|first1=Chris|title=Britain First: More than the mere sum of the parts left over by the BNP and EDL|url=http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/britain-first-more-then-the-mere-sum-of-the-parts-left-over-by-the-bnp-and-edl|website=blogs.lse.ac.uk|publisher=British Politics and Policy at LSE|date=21 November 2014|access-date=23 January 2017|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202145541/http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/britain-first-more-then-the-mere-sum-of-the-parts-left-over-by-the-bnp-and-edl/|url-status=live}}

On 5 January 2015, a district judge at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court found Paul Golding guilty of harassing the sister-in-law of a man allegedly linked to the 7 July bombings, having mistakenly turned up at her house instead of his. District Judge David Woollard fined Golding £325 and a further £100 for wearing a political uniform.{{cite news|last1=Balls|first1=Sam|title=Britain First leader Paul Golding found guilty of harassment and wearing a political uniform|url=http://www.essexchronicle.co.uk/Britain-leader-Paul-Golding-guilty/story-25808029-detail/story.html|access-date=5 January 2015|work=Essex Chronicle|date=5 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208055657/http://www.essexchronicle.co.uk/Britain-leader-Paul-Golding-guilty/story-25808029-detail/story.html|archive-date=8 December 2015|url-status=dead}}

In February 2014, Britain First conducted what it called "Christian patrols"{{cite news|last=Moore-Bridger|first=Benedict|title=Far-Right group filmed on 'patrol' at East End mosque|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/farright-group-filmed-on-patrol-at-east-end-mosque-9110934.html|access-date=21 May 2014|work=London Evening Standard|date=6 February 2014|archive-date=7 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307134719/http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/farright-group-filmed-on-patrol-at-east-end-mosque-9110934.html|url-status=live}} in an area of Tower Hamlets, East London, to counter continuing Muslim Patrols which had first come to media attention in 2013.{{cite news | title = Homophobic 'vigilante' video appears online | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21142148 | work = BBC London News | date = 22 January 2013 | access-date = 21 June 2018 | archive-date = 20 April 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180420015707/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21142148 | url-status = live }}
- {{cite news|title=London's Holy Turf War|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150116211530/https://news.vice.com/video/londons-holy-turf-war|archive-date=16 January 2015|url=https://news.vice.com/video/londons-holy-turf-war|access-date=1 May 2014|work=Vice News|date=22 April 2014}} Around a dozen or so Britain First activists recorded themselves holding a banner proclaiming "We Are The British Resistance" and emptying cans of beer outside a mosque to harrass people in the area. A video uploaded onto social media showing the event gained national media attention in the UK,{{cite news|last=Gover|first=Dominic|title=London: Far right militants use ex-army jeeps to mount 'Christian Patrols' in Muslim districts|url=http://uk.news.yahoo.com/london-far-militants-ex-army-jeeps-mount-39-131458146.html|work=International Business Times|date=6 February 2014|access-date=23 March 2014|archive-date=23 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323233530/http://uk.news.yahoo.com/london-far-militants-ex-army-jeeps-mount-39-131458146.html|url-status=live}} and the patrol was condemned by Muslim and Christian leaders in the area.

In May 2014, members of Britain First invaded ten Bradford mosques, as well as ones in Glasgow,{{cite news|title=Britain First's leader Paul Golding on BNP breakaway|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27427023|access-date=21 May 2014|newspaper=BBC News|date=15 May 2014|archive-date=21 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521183830/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27427023|url-status=live}} Luton and East London. During the mosque invasions, some of which they filmed, uniformed members of Britain First presented worshippers with army-issue Bibles and with leaflets on grooming gangs: they confronted elders about alleged "Muslim grooming gangs" in the area; and they proselytised Christianity, telling one person to "reject the false prophet Muhammad and read the Bible". In Bradford they also went to the re-election campaign office of a Muslim city councillor, demanding action on grooming gangs and telling him that he "had been warned".{{cite news|last1=Pidd|first1=Helen|title=Police investigate far-right 'invasions' of Bradford and Glasgow mosques|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/13/police-far-right-invasions-bradford-glasgow-mosques-britain-first|access-date=8 December 2017|agency=The Guardian|date=13 May 2014|archive-date=3 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203224504/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/13/police-far-right-invasions-bradford-glasgow-mosques-britain-first|url-status=live}} In response, the Member of Parliament for Bradford West George Galloway said, "This is a grave and national issue. We demand full police action and protection of Mosques and worshippers."{{cite news|title=Far-right activists hand out Bibles outside mosques in Bradford|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/farright-activists-hand-out-bibles-outside-mosques-in-bradford-9352271.html|access-date=18 May 2014|newspaper=The Independent|date=11 May 2014|archive-date=17 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517162958/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/farright-activists-hand-out-bibles-outside-mosques-in-bradford-9352271.html|url-status=live}} The police said that they were investigating.

In July 2014, Britain First entered the Crayford Mosque in South London, demanding that its segregated entrances be removed, with Golding saying, "When you respect women we'll respect your mosques." A volunteer of the local Muslim association called Britain First "filthy people creating trouble in our society".{{cite news|last1=Dearden|first1=Lizzie|title=Britain First 'battalion' invades mosque demanding removal of 'sexist' entrance signs|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britain-first-battalion-invades-mosque-demanding-removal-of-sexist-entrance-signs-9607978.html|access-date=15 July 2014|work=The Independent|date=15 July 2014|archive-date=15 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715182241/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britain-first-battalion-invades-mosque-demanding-removal-of-sexist-entrance-signs-9607978.html|url-status=live}} Two addresses were raided during the police investigation of this action, which led Britain First to protest at Bexleyheath Police Station. They sought to gain publicity by claiming that Golding was arrested for this protest, although the Metropolitan Police said that they had spoken with him and no arrests had been made.{{cite news|last1=Meredith|first1=Charlotte|title=Britain First Fail Dismally In Attempt To Get Leader Arrested, Say He's Been Arrested Anyway|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/07/16/britain-first-mosque-_n_5591458.html|access-date=16 July 2014|work=The Huffington Post|date=16 July 2014|archive-date=17 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717053052/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/07/16/britain-first-mosque-_n_5591458.html|url-status=live}} Golding was jailed for eight weeks in December 2016 for breaking a court order banning him from entering mosques or encouraging others to do so.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38326446|title=Ex-Britain First leader Paul Golding jailed over mosque ban|date=15 December 2016|work=BBC News|access-date=15 December 2016|archive-date=15 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161215170130/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38326446|url-status=live}}

In August 2014, after a report which revealed that over 1,400 children had been sexually abused in Rotherham, mainly by Pakistani men, Britain First protested inside the headquarters of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council with a banner saying "Justice for victims of Muslim grooming".{{cite news|last1=Palmer|first1=Ewan|title=Rotherham Child Abuse Scandal: EDL and Britain First Stage Protests Following 'Appalling' Report|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/rotherham-child-abuse-scandal-edl-britain-first-stage-protests-following-appalling-report-1463039|access-date=15 September 2014|work=International Business Times|date=28 August 2014|archive-date=1 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140901221207/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/rotherham-child-abuse-scandal-edl-britain-first-stage-protests-following-appalling-report-1463039|url-status=live}}

In May 2014, Britain First announced that it would be deploying "hundreds of ex-British Forces" alongside "several armoured ex-army Land Rovers" to protect the UKIP leader Nigel Farage after he had been opposed on the street by supporters of Scottish independence.{{cite news|last1=MacNab|first1=Scott|title='Armoured cars' offered to Farage in Scotland|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/armoured-cars-offered-to-farage-in-scotland-1-3404216|access-date=30 November 2014|work=The Scotsman|date=9 May 2014|archive-date=5 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205111923/http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/armoured-cars-offered-to-farage-in-scotland-1-3404216|url-status=live}} Whilst acknowledging that UKIP and Britain First were "rival" right-wing organisations, it stated that the two parties remain "patriots together" and as such it was willing to "put our men and our resources at UKIP's disposal".{{cite web|title=Britain first to deploy armoured patrol vehicles and ex-military volunteers to protect UKIP leader Nigel Farage|url=https://www.britainfirst.org/britain-first-to-deploy-armoured-patrol-vehicles-and-ex-military-volunteers-to-protect-ukip-leader-nigel-farage/|website=britainfirst.org|publisher=Britain First|access-date=30 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141130195254/https://www.britainfirst.org/britain-first-to-deploy-armoured-patrol-vehicles-and-ex-military-volunteers-to-protect-ukip-leader-nigel-farage/|archive-date=30 November 2014|url-status=dead}}

In March 2015, a group of anti-UKIP protesters went to a pub where Farage and his family were dining and allegedly scared his children into running away. Later that month Britain First went to that group's meeting in London "to give these traitors their comeuppance". No injuries were reported, but a 48-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault.{{cite news|last1=Withnall|first1=Adam|title=Britain First 'acting like Ukip henchmen' by invading meeting of activists in revenge for pub protest against Nigel Farage|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/generalelection/britain-first-acting-like-ukip-henchmen-by-invading-meeting-of-activists-in-revenge-for-pub-protest-against-nigel-farage-10146379.html|access-date=31 March 2015|work=The Independent|date=31 March 2015|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402013823/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/generalelection/britain-first-acting-like-ukip-henchmen-by-invading-meeting-of-activists-in-revenge-for-pub-protest-against-nigel-farage-10146379.html|url-status=live}}

UKIP rejects associations with Britain First, stating, "On the fringes of our politics are nutters and we don't want them anywhere near us".{{cite news|last1=Dearden|first1=Lizzie|title=Britain First accuses Ukip of 'playing political game' with snub over Rochester photo|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/britain-first-accuses-ukip-of-playing-political-game-with-snub-over-rochester-photo-9824058.html|access-date=29 October 2014|work=The Independent|date=28 October 2014|archive-date=29 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029100921/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/britain-first-accuses-ukip-of-playing-political-game-with-snub-over-rochester-photo-9824058.html|url-status=live}}

In 2015, Britain First offered "solidarity patrols" in areas of London with high Jewish populations, while blaming antisemitism on Muslims. The Community Security Trust, an organisation against anti-Semitism, has warned Jews not to become involved with Britain First, and has likened this policy to similar ones by the English Defence League and the BNP, saying that all of these groups were opposing Muslims more than supporting Jews.{{cite news|last1=Ghert-Zand|first1=Renee|title=British Jews say 'no thanks' to nationalist group's support|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/british-jews-say-no-thanks-to-nationalist-groups-support/|access-date=15 February 2015|work=The Times of Israel|date=14 February 2015|archive-date=14 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214130849/http://www.timesofisrael.com/british-jews-say-no-thanks-to-nationalist-groups-support/|url-status=live}}

Britain First visited the French port of Calais in the middle of 2015, during a period of attempted migration to the United Kingdom via the town. Afterwards, the party was approached by the documentary maker Ross Kemp to feature in a documentary film about the contemporary rise in nationalism. The party rejected Kemp's offer, calling him a "leftwing actor"; a producer responded by saying that Kemp listens to all opinions.{{cite news|last1=Hopkins|first1=Steven|title=Britain First reject Ross Kemp immigration film, saying move would 'drag them through gutter'|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/08/12/britain-first-refuse-to-speak-to-ross-kemp_n_7975478.html|access-date=18 August 2015|work=Huffington Post|date=12 August 2015|archive-date=16 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150816012018/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/08/12/britain-first-refuse-to-speak-to-ross-kemp_n_7975478.html|url-status=live}} At the same time, the organisation were recorded for a BBC Three documentary titled We Want Our Country Back.{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Mark|title=BBC Three has big plans, but are young people still watching?|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/13628499.BBC_Three_has_big_plans__but_are_young_people_still_watching_/|access-date=1 September 2015|work=Herald Scotland|date=27 August 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924131605/http://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/13628499.BBC_Three_has_big_plans__but_are_young_people_still_watching_/|url-status=live}}

In August 2020, Britain First posted a video of members entering a hotel in Bromsgrove used for housing asylum seekers. They knocked on doors and attempted to question residents. Police were also called to a number of other incidents across the country. On 29 August a man was arrested and charged with assault after a group had entered a hotel in Coventry and a staff member was assaulted.{{cite news|first1=Diane|last1=Taylor|access-date=31 August 2020|title=Far-right activists filmed hassling asylum seekers in hotels|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/28/far-right-activists-filmed-hassling-asylum-seekers-in-hotels|newspaper=The Guardian|date=28 August 2020|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=30 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830214719/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/28/far-right-activists-filmed-hassling-asylum-seekers-in-hotels|url-status=live}}
- {{cite news|access-date=31 August 2020|title=Man charged with assault after far-right targets Coventry asylum seekers|url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/aug/29/far-right-activists-targeting-asylum-seekers-held-at-coventry-hotel|date=30 August 2020|website=The Guardian|archive-date=31 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831001450/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/aug/29/far-right-activists-targeting-asylum-seekers-held-at-coventry-hotel|url-status=live}}

{{neo-fascism}}

The organisation has been described as fascist by The New Yorker,{{cite magazine|last1=Knight|first1=Sam|title=Trump, Britain First, and the Purveyors of Racism and Bigotry|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/trump-britain-first-and-the-purveyors-of-racism-and-bigotry|access-date=15 February 2018|magazine=The New Yorker|date=30 November 2017|archive-date=15 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215150534/https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/trump-britain-first-and-the-purveyors-of-racism-and-bigotry|url-status=live}} Politics.co.uk, GQ,{{cite news|title=Britain First: the feeble fascist criminals who Donald Trump just retweeted|url=http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/britain-first|access-date=15 February 2018|work=British GQ|date=30 November 2017|archive-date=15 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215084026/http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/britain-first|url-status=live}} The Independent,{{cite news|last1=Sabin|first1=Lamiat|title=Britain First threatens direct action on journalists over Lynda Bellingham claims|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/fascist-group-britain-first-to-start-direct-action-on-mail-and-sun-journalists-over-lynda-post-9817774.html|access-date=15 February 2018|work=The Independent|date=25 October 2014|archive-date=20 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171220172641/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/fascist-group-britain-first-to-start-direct-action-on-mail-and-sun-journalists-over-lynda-post-9817774.html|url-status=live}} and others. The group's website has disputed this, listing fascism as one of several "alien and destructive political or religious doctrines" it opposes.{{cite news|last1=Booth|first1=Robert|title=Britain First: anti-Islam group that bills itself as a patriotic movement|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/29/britain-first-anti-islam-group-that-bills-itself-as-a-patriotic-movement|access-date=15 February 2018|work=The Guardian|date=29 November 2017|archive-date=15 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215143608/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/29/britain-first-anti-islam-group-that-bills-itself-as-a-patriotic-movement|url-status=live}} OpenDemocracy has said that Britain First is not fascist, since it does not oppose democratic politics and does not have a direct connection to older fascist groups, but that they are xenophobes and Islamophobes.{{cite news|last1=Vidgen|first1=Bertie|title=Mythbusting Britain First - 5 things you need to know|url=https://www.opendemocracy.net/uk/bertie-vidgen/mythbusting-britain-first-5-things-you-need-to-know|access-date=15 February 2018|work=openDemocracy|date=8 December 2017|archive-date=15 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215084610/https://www.opendemocracy.net/uk/bertie-vidgen/mythbusting-britain-first-5-things-you-need-to-know|url-status=live}} It has been classified as part of the counter-jihad movement,{{sfn|Aked|2017|p=172}} although it is considered a more radical part.{{cite book|title='Green Crescent, Crimson Cross': The Transatlantic 'Counterjihad' and the New Political Theology|url=https://etheses.lse.ac.uk/3780/1/Pertwee__green-crescent-crimson-cross.pdf|page=33|last=Pertwee|first=Ed|date=October 2017|publisher=London School of Economics|archive-date=8 April 2023|access-date=8 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408194803/https://etheses.lse.ac.uk/3780/1/Pertwee__green-crescent-crimson-cross.pdf|url-status=live|doi=10.21953/lse.xx0e1p4w3f3y|doi-access=free}}

Britain First's founding principles stated that its aim is to protect "British and Christian morality", it is "committed to preserving our cultural heritage" and "We oppose the increasing colonisation of our homeland through uncontrolled, mass immigration. Britain First is committed to maintaining and strengthening Christianity as the foundation of our society and culture" and that "Genuine British citizens will be put first in housing, jobs, education, welfare and health". The party self-styles itself as "loyalist".

Paul Golding disputes interpretations that Jesus was pacifistic or liberal, justifying his belief by citing Jesus' apparent violence against the money lenders and his statement that he came to bring a sword rather than peace. Every major Christian denomination in the UK has denounced Britain First, along with Christian denominations across the UK condemning the group as blasphemous to Christian teachings.{{cite news | last = York | first = Chris | title = Britain First denounced by every major Christian denomination in the UK | url = http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2016/01/29/britain-first-denounced-every-christian-group_n_9111138.html?1454148258 | work = Huffington Post | access-date = 1 February 2016 | date = 30 January 2016 | archive-date = 1 February 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160201181230/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2016/01/29/britain-first-denounced-every-christian-group_n_9111138.html?1454148258 | url-status = live }}

It also campaigns against Islamism, immigration and abortion. Britain First states that it is not opposed to individual Muslims, but is against the doctrine and religion of Islam itself, which they describe as "barbaric".{{cite web|title= Homepage: frequently asked questions | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150516073109/https://www.britainfirst.org/ | archive-date = 16 May 2015 |url=https://www.britainfirst.org/ | website = britainfirst.org | publisher = Britain First |access-date=6 April 2015}} It said in 2015 that Muslims are the only community not integrating, and that "Jews don't cause any problems".

Its claimed objective is "to save this country and our people from the EU, politically correct, multicultural insanity that is now engulfing us". The group opposes the European Union, saying it is a socialist threat to individual national identities. Britain First states that it has thousands of members who belong to ethnic minorities, and the group rejects the term racism as the "[invention of] a communist mass murderer to silence European opposition to 'multiculturalism{{'"}}.

A number of sources have criticised Britain First on various grounds. Some sources have noted the openly militaristic and violent nature of the group,{{cite news | last = Meredith | first = Charlotte | title = Britain First 'desecrate' image of fearless Afghan heroine in 'Ban The Burka' campaign | url = http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/09/21/britain-first-_n_5857250.html | work = Huffington Post | date = 21 September 2014 | access-date = 2 February 2016 | archive-date = 4 March 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304120854/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/09/21/britain-first-_n_5857250.html | url-status = live }} particularly in recruiting and training ex-soldiers, and unlawfully wearing political uniforms. Members of the group, including its founder Jim Dowson, have stated their desire for a religious war in the UK.

A 2014 report on the links between Britain First and terrorist organisations in Northern Ireland said that behind populist Facebook posts "lies a small but dangerous group of religious fundamentalists intent on starting a 'Holy war{{'"}}.{{cite news | last = Meredith | first = Charlotte | title = Britain First's Facebook page banned for 'hate speech'... then put back just an hour later | url = http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/06/28/britain-first-facebook_n_5539413.html | work = Huffington Post | date = 28 June 2014 | access-date = 2 February 2016 | archive-date = 22 March 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160322114850/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/06/28/britain-first-facebook_n_5539413.html | url-status = live }}

In 2014, Britain First began holding "Christian patrols", ostensibly in retaliation for the Muslim patrol incidents that began the year before.{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/02/05/christian-patrols-tower-h_n_4729611.html|title='Christian Patrols' Warning in East London Investigated By Police|last=Elgot|first=Jessica|date=2 May 2014|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=27 December 2022|archive-date=28 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228042858/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/02/05/christian-patrols-tower-h_n_4729611.html|url-status=live}} In 2016, after the group held one of its Christian patrols in a primarily Muslim area of Luton, all major Christian denominations and organisations in the UK denounced Britain First and its ideology. The group was accused of "hi-jacking the name of Jesus Christ to justify hatred and spread fear".{{cite news | last = York | first = Chris | title = Britain First denounced by every major Christian denomination in the UK | url = http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2016/01/29/britain-first-denounced-every-christian-group_n_9111138.html | work = Huffington Post | date = 30 January 2016 | access-date = 1 February 2016 | archive-date = 1 February 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160201181218/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2016/01/29/britain-first-denounced-every-christian-group_n_9111138.html | url-status = live }} In the same year, a petition to the Home Office was launched urging a ban on the group.{{cite news | last = Wright | first = Paul | title = Britain First's Holy War: Home Office condemns 'anti-Muslim propaganda' as petition calls for group to be banned | url = http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/britain-firsts-holy-war-home-office-condemns-anti-muslim-propaganda-petition-calls-group-1540893 | work = International Business Times | date = 29 January 2016 | access-date = 2 February 2016 | archive-date = 1 February 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160201051939/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/britain-firsts-holy-war-home-office-condemns-anti-muslim-propaganda-petition-calls-group-1540893 | url-status = live }}

Britain First has also attracted derision and condemnation for social media posts. These included a post which falsely labelled Afghanistan's first female police officer, who was murdered by the Taliban, as a terrorist, and posts falsely linking the burqa and terrorism. In March 2015, an American veteran stated his intention to sue for libel after the group shared a 'photoshopped' image of him. In the original image, the veteran was holding a sign reading "Boycott bigotry"; in the version shared by Britain First the sign reads, "Boycott bigotry and kill all non-Muslims".{{cite news | last = Faridi | first = Hasan | title = Veteran reports Britain First for defamation over fake photo | url = http://www.yorkshirestandard.co.uk/news/veteran-reports-britain-first-for-defamation-over-fake-photo-10603/ | work = The Yorkshire Standard | date = 6 March 2015 | access-date = 2 February 2016 | archive-date = 7 February 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160207141931/http://www.yorkshirestandard.co.uk/news/veteran-reports-britain-first-for-defamation-over-fake-photo-10603/ | url-status = live }} Britain First also received criticism for posing for a photograph with naval cadets in Nottingham, and then adding a caption falsely claiming that their activists were protecting the children.{{cite news|last=Staff writer|title=Britain First criticised over Nottingham Sea Cadet poppy photo|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-34760414|access-date=7 February 2016|work=BBC News|date=9 November 2015|archive-date=12 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151112030302/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-34760414|url-status=live}}

In addition to this, Britain First publishes media falsely labelling Muslims, who happened to be protesting against Islamophobia and bigotry, celebrating cricket results, or not even there, as "extremists".{{cite news | last = Morrison | first = Sean | title = Far right Britain First leader shares fake video of 'London Muslims celebrating Paris terror attack' | url = https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/paul-golding-shared-video-falsely-claiming-muslims-celebrated-paris-terror-a3520926.html | work = London Evening Standard | date = 22 April 2017 | access-date = 4 April 2018 | archive-date = 16 June 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180616162033/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/paul-golding-shared-video-falsely-claiming-muslims-celebrated-paris-terror-a3520926.html | url-status = live }}{{cite news | last = Allegretti | first = Aubrey | title = Britain First's Facebook video showing 'Muslims Attack Welsh' after Euro 2016 violence ridiculed | url = http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/britain-first-facebook-video-muslims-attack-welsh_uk_57601ee0e4b00f4bac30c95e | work = Huffington Post | date = 14 June 2016 | access-date = 22 April 2017 | archive-date = 23 April 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170423151314/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/britain-first-facebook-video-muslims-attack-welsh_uk_57601ee0e4b00f4bac30c95e | url-status = live }}

Furthermore, Britain First's Facebook page has attracted the attention of news outlets because of its misleading and inciteful content relating to Muslims. According to The Guardian, "[T]hey included one comparing Muslim immigrants to animals, another labelling the group's leaders 'Islamophobic and proud', and videos created to incite hateful comments against Muslims."

In August 2014, the Cabinet Office wrote to Britain First requesting that they remove an image of the British crown from their merchandise. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) had previously requested that the crown be removed from Britain First's online accounts. In response, Golding called the ASA a "toothless quango with no power which no one takes any notice of" and responded that the group's solicitors had deemed the crown distinct enough to be used without breaching regulations.{{cite news|last1=Butler|first1=Sarah|title=Government considers steps against Britain First over use of crown|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/27/government-cabinet-office-first-britain-royal-crown?CMP=twt_gu|access-date=27 August 2014|work=The Guardian|date=27 August 2014|archive-date=3 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903152503/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/27/government-cabinet-office-first-britain-royal-crown?CMP=twt_gu|url-status=live}} The ASA published a ruling on 4 March 2015 upholding complaints about Britain First's use of the crown symbol, and about their selling merchandise falsely implying that it was British-made.{{cite web|url=https://www.asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2015/3/Lionheart-GB/SHP_ADJ_287682.aspx|title=ASA Ruling on Lionheart GB|date=4 March 2015|publisher=Advertising Standards Authority|access-date=28 September 2015|archive-date=5 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005205221/https://www.asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2015/3/Lionheart-GB/SHP_ADJ_287682.aspx|url-status=live}}

In May 2017, Golding and Fransen were charged with religiously aggravated harassment over verbal attacks and leaflets they distributed in Thanet and Canterbury. They pleaded not guilty at a hearing on 17 October 2017; a "Persecuted Patriots Rally" organised on 4 November to show support attracted more opponents than supporters.{{cite news|first1=Kevin|last1=Rawlinson|title=Two Britain First leaders charged with religiously aggravated harassment|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/sep/20/two-britain-first-leaders-golding-fransen-charged-with-religiously-aggravated-harassment|work=The Guardian|date=20 September 2017|access-date=29 December 2017|archive-date=13 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213231620/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/sep/20/two-britain-first-leaders-golding-fransen-charged-with-religiously-aggravated-harassment|url-status=live}}{{cite news|first1=Craig|last1=Simpson|title=Far-right group Britain First to march through Bromley|url=http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/news/croydon-news/far-right-group-britain-first-696516|newspaper=Croydon Advertiser|date=29 October 2017|access-date=8 November 2017|archive-date=8 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108151735/http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/news/croydon-news/far-right-group-britain-first-696516|url-status=live}}{{cite news | last = Staff writer | title = Britain First outnumbered at their own 'Persecuted Patriots' rally in Bromley | url = http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/15643385.Britain_First_outnumbered_at_their_own___39_Persecuted_Patriots__39__rally_in_Bromley/ | work = News Shopper | date = 6 November 2017 | access-date = 8 November 2017 | archive-date = 8 November 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171108205612/http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/15643385.Britain_First_outnumbered_at_their_own___39_Persecuted_Patriots__39__rally_in_Bromley/ | url-status = live }} At Folkestone Magistrates' Court on 7 March 2018, Fransen was found guilty on three counts and Golding on one. They were jailed for 36 weeks and 18 weeks respectively.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-43320121|title=Britain First leaders guilty of hate crime|date=7 March 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=7 March 2018|archive-date=7 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307152645/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-43320121|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/paul-golding-jayda-fransen-britain-first-leaders-guilty-religious-muslim-hate-crime-a8244161.html|title=Britain First leaders found guilty of anti-Muslim hate crime|date=7 March 2018|work=The Independent|access-date=7 March 2018|archive-date=7 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307152701/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/paul-golding-jayda-fransen-britain-first-leaders-guilty-religious-muslim-hate-crime-a8244161.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cps.gov.uk/south-east/news/leader-and-deputy-leader-britain-first-convicted-religiously-aggravated-public|title=Leader and deputy leader of Britain First convicted of religiously-aggravated public order offences|website=Crown Prosecution Service|access-date=7 March 2018|archive-date=16 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616133009/https://www.cps.gov.uk/south-east/news/leader-and-deputy-leader-britain-first-convicted-religiously-aggravated-public|url-status=live}}

{{main|Donald Trump on social media#Britain First videos}}

In November 2017, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, caused controversy by re-tweeting three anti-Muslim videos shared by Jayda Fransen. The re-tweets were responded to by Fransen and Paul Golding with the statement "God Bless you Trump! God Bless America!".{{cite news|last1=Allen|first1=Nick|last2=Emanuel|first2=Louis|title=Donald Trump re-tweets anti-Muslim videos from British far-Right group|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/11/29/trump-shared-muslim-crimes-videos-tweeted-british-far-right/|access-date=29 November 2017|work=The Telegraph|date=29 November 2017|archive-date=29 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129141615/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/11/29/trump-shared-muslim-crimes-videos-tweeted-british-far-right/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Staff writer|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42166663|title=Trump account retweets anti-Muslim videos|work=BBC News|date=29 November 2017|access-date=29 November 2017|archive-date=29 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129120212/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42166663|url-status=live}} Britain First boasted of a surge in support after Trump retweeted its videos.{{Cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/farright-group-boasts-of-surge-in-members-because-of-trumps-tweets-a3706926.html|title=Britain First boasts Donald Trump's anti-Islam retweets sparked surge in membership|last=Wills|first=Ella|website=Evening Standard|date=December 2017|access-date=2 December 2017|archive-date=3 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203082904/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/farright-group-boasts-of-surge-in-members-because-of-trumps-tweets-a3706926.html|url-status=live}}

The three Islamophobic videos tweeted by Fransen were inflammatory and unverified: Britain First has a history of sharing misleading videos.{{cite news |first1=Ashley |last1=Parker |first2=John |last2=Wagner |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/11/29/trump-retweets-inflammatory-and-unverified-anti-muslim-videos/ |title=Trump retweets inflammatory and unverified anti-Muslim videos |work=The Washington Post |date=19 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129230340/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/11/29/trump-retweets-inflammatory-and-unverified-anti-muslim-videos/ |archive-date=29 November 2017 }} One video falsely claimed to show a Muslim migrant beating up a boy on crutches.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/11/29/the-murky-origins-of-the-britain-first-videos-trump-retweeted/ |title=The murky origins of the 'Britain First' videos Trump retweeted |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107064707/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/11/29/the-murky-origins-of-the-britain-first-videos-trump-retweeted/ |archive-date=7 January 2021 |work=The Washington Post |date=29 November 2017}} A video ("Muslim Destroys a Statue of Virgin Mary!") was filmed during the Syrian Civil War in 2013 and showed a man, who is believed to be an Al-Nusra supporter, destroying a statue of Mary and stating, "No-one but Allah will be worshipped in the land of the Levant." The third video ("Islamist mob pushes teenage boy off roof and beats him to death!") contained footage from Alexandria, Egypt, during a period of violent unrest following the overthrow in 2013 of that country's president Mohamed Morsi.{{cite news|last1=Lawless|first1=Jill|title=Trump's Muslim retweets draw fire from US and abroad|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts_law/trumps-muslim-retweets-draw-fire-from-us-and-abroad/2017/11/29/19166c60-d52c-11e7-9ad9-ca0619edfa05_story.html|access-date=30 November 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=29 November 2017 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130123926/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts_law/trumps-muslim-retweets-draw-fire-from-us-and-abroad/2017/11/29/19166c60-d52c-11e7-9ad9-ca0619edfa05_story.html |archive-date=30 November 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Harrison|first1=Angus|title=The Truth Behind Those Anti-Muslim Videos Donald Trump Just Retweeted|url=https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/qvzdb5/the-truth-behind-those-anti-muslim-videos-donald-trump-just-retweeted|access-date=29 November 2017|work=Vice|date=29 November 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130024631/https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/qvzdb5/the-truth-behind-those-anti-muslim-videos-donald-trump-just-retweeted|archive-date=30 November 2017}}

Trump's retweeting was condemned by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn; Labour MPs Chuka Umunna, David Lammy, and Yvette Cooper; Brendan Cox, the husband of murdered MP Jo Cox; journalist Piers Morgan; Unite Against Fascism; and the Council on American–Islamic Relations.{{cite news|last=Dearden|first=Lizzie|title=Donald Trump retweets Britain First deputy leader's Islamophobic posts|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-britain-first-retweet-muslim-migrants-jayda-fransen-deputy-leader-a8082001.html|work=The Independent|date=29 November 2017|access-date=29 November 2017|archive-date=29 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129170252/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-britain-first-retweet-muslim-migrants-jayda-fransen-deputy-leader-a8082001.html|url-status=live}}
- {{cite news|last=Dearden|first=Lizzie|title=Donald Trump retweets Britain First deputy leader's Islamophobic posts|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-britain-first-retweet-muslim-migrants-jayda-fransen-deputy-leader-a8082001.html|access-date=29 November 2017|work=The Independent|archive-date=29 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129170252/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-britain-first-retweet-muslim-migrants-jayda-fransen-deputy-leader-a8082001.html|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last1=John|first1=Tara|title=3 things to know about Britain First, the far-right group President Trump retweeted|url=https://time.com/5040627/britain-first-trump-tweet/|access-date=29 November 2017|magazine=Time|date=29 November 2017|archive-date=29 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129175002/http://time.com/5040627/britain-first-trump-tweet/|url-status=live}} The incident resulted in calls for Trump to be banned from the UK; Jo Cox's successor in Parliament, Tracy Brabin, said he would not be welcome.{{cite news | last1 = Emanuel | first1 = Louis | last2 = Allen | first2 = Nick | last3 = Sabur | first3 = Rozina | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/11/29/trump-shared-muslim-crimes-videos-tweeted-british-far-right/ | title = Donald Trump re-tweets anti-Muslim videos from British far-Right group | work = The Telegraph | date = 29 November 2017 | access-date = 29 November 2017 | archive-date = 29 November 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171129141615/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/11/29/trump-shared-muslim-crimes-videos-tweeted-british-far-right/ | url-status = live }} A spokesman for the Prime Minister, Theresa May, condemned Trump's retweeting and added that Britain First spread "hateful narratives which peddle lies and stoke tensions".{{cite news|last=|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42172032|title=Trump wrong to share far-right videos – PM|work=BBC News|date=29 November 2017|access-date=29 November 2017|archive-date=29 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129163514/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42172032|url-status=live}} Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, also condemned Trump's retweets, writing on social media that, "Britain First seeks to divide communities and intimidate minorities, especially our Muslim friends and neighbours. Britain First does not share our values of tolerance and solidarity. God calls us as Christians to love our neighbour and seek the flourishing of all in our communities, societies and nations. I join the urgent call of faith groups and others for President Trump not just to remove these tweets, but to make clear his opposition to racism and hatred in all forms."{{cite news|work=The Independent|title=Archbishop of Canterbury urges Trump to remove his Britain First retweets and says they are un-Christian; Justin Welby takes to social media to criticise both the far-right group and US President|date=30 November 2017|access-date=1 December 2017|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/trump-britain-first-justin-welby-statement-retweets-remove-latest-a8083266.html|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201131821/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/trump-britain-first-justin-welby-statement-retweets-remove-latest-a8083266.html|url-status=live}}

Three weeks later, on 18 December, Twitter suspended the accounts of Golding, Fransen, and Britain First.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/12/18/twitter-purge-suspends-account-of-far-right-leader-who-was-retweeted-by-trump/ |title='Twitter purge' suspends account of far-right leader who was retweeted by Trump |first1=Craig |last1=Timberg |first2=Hayley |last2=Tsukayama |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=18 December 2017 |access-date=5 January 2018 |archive-date=8 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208084324/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/12/18/twitter-purge-suspends-account-of-far-right-leader-who-was-retweeted-by-trump/ |url-status=live }} They later joined and ask all their followers to go to the Gab social networking service created as an alternative to social networks like Facebook, Twitter and Reddit.{{cite news |first=Sarah |last=Marsh |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/20/britain-first-gab-social-media-twitter-ban |title=Britain First signs up to fringe social media site after Twitter ban |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105061200/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/20/britain-first-gab-social-media-twitter-ban |archive-date=5 January 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=20 December 2017}}

During a January 2018 interview with Piers Morgan for Good Morning Britain, Trump said he was not familiar with Britain First when he retweeted them, saying, "If you are telling me they're horrible people, horrible, racist people, I would certainly apologise if you'd like me to do that."{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-britain-first-tweets-apology-piers-morgan-jayda-fransen-anti-muslim-videos-islamophobia-a8178831.html |title=Donald Trump apologises for retweeting anti-Muslim videos from Britain First |first=Jon |last=Sharman |work=The Independent |date=24 January 2018 |access-date=1 February 2018 |archive-date=11 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211050049/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-britain-first-tweets-apology-piers-morgan-jayda-fransen-anti-muslim-videos-islamophobia-a8178831.html |url-status=live }}

In 2023, Golding and Britain First were unblocked on Twitter.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/apr/24/far-right-britain-first-twitter-gold-tick |first=Dan |last=Milmo |title=Far-right Britain First party given Twitter gold tick |work=The Guardian |date=24 April 2023 |archive-date=24 April 2023 |access-date=10 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424165041/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/apr/24/far-right-britain-first-twitter-gold-tick |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/24/twitter-labels-uk-far-right-party-britain-first-official-organization.html |first=Ryan |last=Browne |title=Twitter grants UK far-right party Britain First 'official organization' label |work=CNBC |date=24 April 2023 |archive-date=9 May 2023 |access-date=10 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509200623/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/24/twitter-labels-uk-far-right-party-britain-first-official-organization.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2023/04/24/twitter-verifies-britain-first-elon-musk-shakeup/ |author=Matthew Field |title=Twitter verifies far-right group Britain First with gold tick |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=24 April 2023}}

Britain First's 2017 conference in Bedfordshire, held at the beginning of December, was booked under a different name. The venue said it would not have taken the booking from Britain First if it had known who was behind it "as the values of our organisation conflicts with theirs in totality"; the booking fee was donated to charity.{{cite news|title=Britain First's meeting booking 'made under different name'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-42219595|access-date=4 December 2017|website=BBC News|date=4 December 2017|archive-date=7 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207012426/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-42219595|url-status=live}} One of the invited speakers at the conference was Jolene Bunting, an independent unionist city councillor in Belfast.{{cite news|work=Belfast Telegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/britain-first-trump-retweets-the-truth-belfast-councillor-tells-party-conference-36375179.html|title=Britain First Trump retweets 'the truth', Belfast councillor tells party conference|access-date=8 December 2017|date=3 December 2017|archive-date=8 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208231529/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/britain-first-trump-retweets-the-truth-belfast-councillor-tells-party-conference-36375179.html|url-status=live}} Bunting had previously organised an anti-terrorist rally in front of Belfast City Hall in August 2017, with invited speakers including Golding and Fransen.{{cite news|work=Belfast Telegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/unionist-councillor-defends-britain-first-appearance-at-belfast-rally-35974048.html|title=Unionist councillor defends Britain First appearance at Belfast rally|access-date=8 December 2017|date=27 July 2017|archive-date=8 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208231502/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/unionist-councillor-defends-britain-first-appearance-at-belfast-rally-35974048.html|url-status=live}} Fransen was subsequently arrested in London in November 2017 by detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland, charged with using "threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour" at the rally, and ordered to appear at Belfast Magistrates' Court on 14 December 2017.{{cite news|last=D'Arcy|first=Scott|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/britain-first-arrested-far-right-extremism-jayda-fransen-speech-belfast-northern-ireland-a8063206.html|title=Jayda Fransen: Deputy leader of far-right group Britain First arrested over speech in Belfast|work=The Independent|agency=Press Association|date=19 November 2017|access-date=29 November 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201043124/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/britain-first-arrested-far-right-extremism-jayda-fransen-speech-belfast-northern-ireland-a8063206.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-42040719|work=BBC News|access-date=29 November 2017|date=19 November 2017|title=Britain First deputy leader Jayda Fransen charged|archive-date=29 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129220038/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-42040719|url-status=live}} On that day, both she and Golding were re-arrested in Belfast. A small "Free speech for Jayda" demonstration took place outside the courts.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-42351026|title=Britain First's Paul Golding and Jayda Fransen arrested|work=BBC News|date=14 December 2017|access-date=14 December 2017|archive-date=14 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214125035/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-42351026|url-status=live}}

On 19 June 2017, a van was driven into pedestrians in Finsbury Park, London, near Finsbury Park Mosque, injuring at least eight people. On 23 January 2018, it was alleged that the perpetrator of the Finsbury Park attack, Darren Osborne, had had contact with far-right groups including Britain First. After the London Bridge attack on 3 June, he made several searches on Google for Britain First leader Paul Golding and his deputy Jayda Fransen, as well as Tommy Robinson, one of the EDL's founders. He also received a direct Twitter message from Fransen.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-42790610|title=Finsbury Park: Jury sees CCTV of attack suspect 'hiring van'|date=23 January 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=26 January 2018|archive-date=27 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127123804/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-42790610|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/man-who-drove-van-finsbury-11901579|title=Britain First tweeted man who 'drove van into Finsbury Park mosque worshippers'|last=Wardle|first=Sally|date=23 January 2018|work=Daily Mirror|access-date=26 January 2018|archive-date=27 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127004547/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/man-who-drove-van-finsbury-11901579|url-status=live}}

In March 2018, Facebook removed the accounts of Golding, Fransen and Britain First, on the grounds that they had repeatedly violated its community standards. Facebook said that the group had "repeatedly posted content designed to incite animosity and hatred against minority groups, which disqualifies the pages from our services". Part of Facebook's community guidelines includes a ban on homophobic and transphobic hate speech, of which Britain First's page was accused of having "lashed out at LGBT equality, attacking [a] reality dating show for featuring a lesbian couple last year and repeatedly lashing out at transgender rights" in an article by PinkNews in March 2018.{{cite news |last= Duffy |first= Nick |date= 14 March 2018 |title= Far-right group Britain First banned by Facebook |url= https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/03/14/far-right-group-britain-first-banned-by-facebook/ |work= PinkNews |access-date= 27 May 2022 |archive-date= 15 June 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210615020730/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/03/14/far-right-group-britain-first-banned-by-facebook/ |url-status= live }} At the time, more than two million people had "liked" the group's Facebook page. The British Prime Minister, Theresa May, and the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, both welcomed the move. The group was also banned from setting up an official Facebook page in the future.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2018/03/14/facebook-bans-pages-britain-first-leaders-paul-golding-jayda/|title=Facebook bans pages of Britain First and leaders Paul Golding and Jayda Fransen|last=Field|first=Matthew|date=14 March 2018|work=The Telegraph|access-date=14 March 2018|issn=0307-1235|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109025649/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2018/03/14/facebook-bans-pages-britain-first-leaders-paul-golding-jayda/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-43398417|title=Facebook bans Britain First pages|last=Cellan-Jones|first=Rory|date=14 March 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=14 March 2018|archive-date=14 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314134636/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-43398417|url-status=live}} Matthew Collins, head of research for the anti-fascist group Hope not Hate, suggested in The Guardian that the ban, combined with the imprisonment of the party's leaders, has the potential to lead to the collapse of Britain First, which has depended heavily on online activism.

In July 2018, the documentary programme Dispatches reported that prior to being taken down, Britain First's Facebook page had been one of several far-right pages specially protected by Facebook. According to a moderator, the page was protected because its popularity provided Facebook with a lot of advertising revenue.{{cite news |last1=Hern |first1=Alex |title=Facebook protects far-right activists even after rule breaches |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jul/17/facebook-protects-far-right-activists-even-after-rule-breaches-dispatches-c4 |access-date=24 July 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=16 July 2018 |archive-date=25 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725003105/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jul/17/facebook-protects-far-right-activists-even-after-rule-breaches-dispatches-c4 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Facebook's Dublin moderators criticised for not removing abusive videos |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/facebook-s-dublin-moderators-criticised-for-not-removing-abusive-videos-1.3567707 |access-date=24 July 2018 |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=17 July 2018 |archive-date=26 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726001136/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/facebook-s-dublin-moderators-criticised-for-not-removing-abusive-videos-1.3567707 |url-status=live }}{{cite episode |title=Inside Facebook: Secrets of a Social Network |via=All 4 |url=https://www.channel4.com/programmes/inside-facebook-secrets-of-a-social-network |access-date=24 July 2018 |series=Dispatches |station=Channel 4 |date=17 July 2018 |archive-date=24 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724131017/https://www.channel4.com/programmes/inside-facebook-secrets-of-a-social-network |url-status=live }} Britain First's page had broken Facebook's rules more than the number of times that would normally lead to the page being banned from the site. Facebook disputed that it shielded pages based on popularity.{{cite news |last1=Kozlowska |first1=Hanna |title=Facebook's fight against bad content is a mess |url=https://qz.com/1329967/facebooks-fight-against-bad-content-is-as-chaotic-as-ever/ |access-date=24 July 2018 |work=Quartz |date=23 July 2018 |archive-date=24 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724033512/https://qz.com/1329967/facebooks-fight-against-bad-content-is-as-chaotic-as-ever/ |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Murder of Jo Cox}}

On 16 June 2016, Jo Cox MP was fatally shot and stabbed outside a library in Birstall, by a man who eyewitnesses said shouted "Britain first" as he carried out the attack.{{cite news|title=U.K. MP dies after being shot by an assailant who reportedly shouted 'Britain First' before attack|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/news/british-labour-lawmaker-injured-in-shooting-near-leeds-reports-say|work=National Post|location=Canada|date=16 June 2016|access-date=17 June 2016|archive-date=6 May 2021|archive-url=http://wayback.vefsafn.is/wayback/20210506191903/https://nationalpost.com/category/news/|url-status=live}} One witness told BBC News that he was uncertain whether the suspect was shouting "Britain first" or "put Britain first".{{cite news|last=Staff writer|title=Jo Cox MP dead after shooting attack|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36550304|access-date=17 June 2016|work=BBC News|date=16 June 2016|archive-date=18 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718081804/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36550304|url-status=live}} Another man said that he did not hear the words at all.{{cite news|last=Staff writer|title=Cox witness says no one shouted Britain First|url=http://www.lbc.co.uk/jo-cox-witness-says-no-one-shouted-britain-first-132375|work=LBC|access-date=17 June 2016|date=17 June 2016|archive-date=17 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617101135/http://www.lbc.co.uk/jo-cox-witness-says-no-one-shouted-britain-first-132375|url-status=live}} The party issued a statement denying any involvement or encouragement in the attack and suggested that the phrase "could have been a slogan rather than a reference to our party".{{cite news|last=Boyle|first=Danny|title=Britain First party leader 'just as shocked as everyone else'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/16/labour-mp-jo-cox-shot-in-leeds-witnesses-report/#update-20160616-1617|access-date=16 June 2016|work=The Telegraph|date=16 June 2016|quote=Jo Cox is obviously an MP campaigning to keep Britain in the EU so if it was shouted by the attacker it could have been a slogan rather than a reference to our party - we just don't know.|archive-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623022944/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/16/labour-mp-jo-cox-shot-in-leeds-witnesses-report/#update-20160616-1617|url-status=live}} The group's leader, Paul Golding, condemned the attack, saying, "We hope that this person who carried it out is strung up by the neck on the nearest lamp post. That's the way we view justice."{{cite news | last=Forster | first=Katie | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/jo-cox-shot-dead-britain-first-denies-involvement-labour-mp-birstall-shooting-stabbing-attack-a7086001.html | title=Jo Cox dead: Britain First denies involvement in attack on Labour MP | work=The Independent | date=16 June 2016 | access-date=17 June 2016 | archive-date=17 June 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617152445/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/jo-cox-shot-dead-britain-first-denies-involvement-labour-mp-birstall-shooting-stabbing-attack-a7086001.html | url-status=live }}

Following this, the far-right organisation National Action (which lauded Cox's murderer) became the first far-right group to be proscribed as a terrorist organisation in December 2016.{{cite news|last1=Lyons|first1=James|title=UK to issue first ban on far right|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/uk-to-issue-first-ban-on-far-right-gxzqhvgsj|access-date=15 December 2016|work=The Sunday Times|url-access=subscription|date=11 December 2016|archive-date=13 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213063241/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/uk-to-issue-first-ban-on-far-right-gxzqhvgsj|url-status=live}} In November, several months after Cox's murder, the Labour MP Louise Haigh said that the House of Commons should open a debate on the issue of Britain First's proscription, saying to The Independent that "the threat and violence of the extremist political right is of serious concern", adding that "we need a full and frank debate in this country about how such hate-filled, violent extreme right organisations are threatening and undermining the values we hold dear".{{cite news|last1=Bulman|first1=May|title=MP calls for Britain First to be listed as a 'terrorist organisation' following the murder of Jo Cox|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britain-first-terrorist-organisation-listed-lousie-haigh-jo-cox-thomas-mair-labour-mp-a7439036.html|work=The Independent|access-date=15 December 2016|date=25 November 2016|archive-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220205849/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britain-first-terrorist-organisation-listed-lousie-haigh-jo-cox-thomas-mair-labour-mp-a7439036.html|url-status=live}} Following this debate, Haigh received a number of death threats, saying that on one day "an individual went through every one of my YouTube videos and said he would not rest until I was murdered. If that is not evidence that Britain First should be proscribed as a terrorist organisation, I am not sure what is".{{cite news|last1=Pidd|first1=Helen|last2=Perraudin|first2=Frances|title=Female MP received death threats for calling for ban on Britain First|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/dec/15/female-mp-received-death-threats-for-calling-for-ban-on-britain-first|work=The Guardian|access-date=15 December 2016|date=15 December 2016|archive-date=15 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161215122941/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/dec/15/female-mp-received-death-threats-for-calling-for-ban-on-britain-first|url-status=live}}

In July 2019, the Electoral Commission announced that Britain First had been fined £44,200 following an investigation that identified a series of offences against electoral registration regulations, including failing to keep accurate financial records of transactions in 2016, failing to file any quarterly donation reports in 2016 (with £200,000 of undeclared donations), not having its 2016 accounts professionally audited and failing to provide information sought by the commission.Peter Walker, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/16/britain-first-fined-electoral-law-breaches-electoral-commission "Britain First fined £44,000 over electoral law breaches"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716103526/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/16/britain-first-fined-electoral-law-breaches-electoral-commission |date=16 July 2019 }}, The Guardian, 16 July 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2019.

{{Portal|Politics|United Kingdom}}

• Pegida UK
• English Defence League
• Far-right politics in the United Kingdom

{{reflist|refs=

{{Cite web |first=Adam |last=Bienkov |title=Britain First: The violent new face of British fascism |date=19 June 2014 |website=Politics.co.uk |url=http://www.politics.co.uk/news/2014/06/19/britain-first-the-violent-new-face-of-british-fascism |access-date=20 January 2017 |archive-date=11 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161211170024/http://www.politics.co.uk/news/2014/06/19/britain-first-the-violent-new-face-of-british-fascism |url-status=live }}

}}

• {{cite contribution |last=Aked |first=Hilary |year=2017 |chapter=Islamophobia, Counter-extremism and the Counterjihad Movement |title=What is Islamophobia? Racism, Social Movements and the State |editor=Narzanin Massoumi |editor2=Tom Mills |editor3=David Miller |location=London |publisher=Pluto Press |pages=163–185 |isbn=978-0-7453-9957-7 }}

• {{Official website|www.britainfirst.org}}

{{British political parties}}

{{UK far right}}

{{Fascism}}

{{Nationalism in the United Kingdom}}

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