Borehamwood councillor ‘sorry’ for far-right link

A Borehamwood councillor has apologised unreservedly for posting a photo from a far-right group founded by a member of the BNP.

Cllr Clive Butchins (pictured), who is Jewish, retweeted an image of a D-Day veteran originally posted by Britain First, a group that has been described as holding “fascist” views on subjects such as immigration and Islamisation.

“I didn’t realise when I sent it, I only realised afterwards,” said Butchins. “The sentiment was appropriate but the source turned out not to be.”

He added: “I apologise unreservedly for any offence caused and will seek to retract it, but this was in no way an endorsement of the group. I do not share their political views in any way.”

Britain First was created by Jim Dowson, who ran a call centre in East Belfast for the British National Party and has a vigilante wing, from which activists have targeted mosques.