Met Police launch investigation into vile Dr Shola and India Willoughby death threats
National Action has sent death threats to Black and trans women (Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing/Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)
The Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation after a far-right extremist group targeted Black and trans women with horrific, hand-delivered death threats.
On Monday (20 February), Black activist, academic and lawyer Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu and trans activist and presenter India Willoughby received chilling letters from neo-Nazi group National Action.
The letters set out – in horrific and graphic detail – how the fascist group planned to kill the two women because of Mos-Shogbamimu’s race and Willoughby’s gender.
National Action was formed in 2013 but banned, as a terrorist organisation, by the government three years later for its “virulently racist, anti-semitic and homophobic” aims. However, despite members facing jail sentences of up to 10 years, it still has secret branches across the UK.
The Met has said it is taking the matter “seriously” and the force’s Counter Terrorism Command is leading the investigation into the letters.
Writing on Twitter, Mos-Shogbamimu shared a photograph of the letter: “I have received ‘a serious threat from National Action London’ notifying me of their ‘intention to kill’ me & my family. They name my husband & home address. They don’t consider killing me ‘murder’, they call it an execution. This letter was through my front door.
“This is Britain.”
The vile letter reads: “Shola you are a constant troublemaker and liar who appears on television frequently. You make a shabby living from criticising and race-grifting against ethnic white Europeans and our culture.
“We have placed you on our kill list and intend to kill you, your children and your husband. You have gone too far and now it is time for you to pay the price.”
The letter uses disgusting, racist slurs and describes the activist as a “dreg of the multicultural society”.
It goes on: “We suggest you leave the UK asap, this is the only way that you can avoid what is coming to you. You need to hide because your details have been circulated to others on the internet, violent nationalist activists, blackshirts and others. It is only a matter of time Adeshola before you receive your punishment, your execution.”
In response to Mos-Shogbamimu’s tweet, Willoughby revealed that she too had received a threatening letter from the far-right group, which was proscribed under the 2000 Terrorism Act.
“My accountant just called,” the trans presenter wrote. “He’s received a letter today – hand delivered – no stamp. Threatening to kill me. Because I’m trans. Full of graphic detail about what they are going to do. Passed on to the police. This is what Brit media, the GC [gender-critical] movement and the gov have done.”
She continued: “[He] says it’s like a letter from a horror film. He’s obviously worried too, given how it was delivered. Will there be an outcry over this by The Times, Mail? No.
“If anything happens to me, I want you all to know who I hold responsible. The GCs, the celebs who support them, the gov and right-wing media. Don’t buy any of their ‘We liked India’ or ‘it has nothing to do with us’ bull. It has everything to do with them.”
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “We are aware of letters sent to two people which contain vile racist and transphobic language, and threats.
“The letters are said to be from “National Action London Cell”.
“We are taking this matter seriously and an investigation is under way.
“Due to the nature of the letters and the potential involvement of a proscribed group, the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command is leading the investigation.
“We were first made aware of the letters as a result of Twitter posts on Monday, 20 February.
“Officers have contacted the victims to request statements and to offer our full support.
“No arrest has been made at this stage and enquiries continue.
“If you have received a letter, or you have information that could help officers identify the senders of these letters, please call 0800 789 321.”
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