Jubilee Pageant chiefs apologise over Nazi symbol on Northern Soul float

A float at the pageant, built by the Northern Soul fans, featured a "Black Sun" - similar to the SS logo and used in Nazi Germany and later by neo-Nazis

The organisers of the Platinum Jubilee Pageant have apologised after one float had a Nazi symbol on display during Sunday’s parade.

A float at the pageant, built by the Northern Soul fans, featured a “Black Sun” – a sun wheel with radial sig runes used in Nazi Germany and later by neo-Nazis which is similar to the logo of the SS.

The symbol, on the side of float alongside more traditional Northern Soul logos, has since been employed by neo-Nazis as a substitute for the Swastika.

The Platinum Jubilee Pageant Company has apologised for any offence the symbol might have caused.

Its spokesman said: “This is a genuine mistake and we apologise for the offence caused. The act intended to represent the Twisted Wheel Club associated with Northern Soul music from 60s and 70s, and the symbol was unfortunately mislabeled on search engines.

“This is an error with no malicious intent. Anyone who has seen the pageant will know it is all about inclusivity, tolerance and unity and this symbol does not correlate with anything it stands for.”

Twitter users branded the inclusion of the symbol in the pageant “poor judgement” and demanded answers as to how it ended up there.

One said: “I’m guessing they Google image searched Northern Soul images… but that one… that’s not a Northern Soul symbol mate, it’s a WW2 Nazi badge.”

Another posted: “Um. This… this is a Nazi symbol. Is this real? WTF happened?”

A third said: “Nazi symbol on the Northern Soul float? The same Northern Soul that celebrated Black American Soul Music? I hope it was done by someone who didn’t have a clue and just liked the pattern.”