Police investigate author over allegations of pro-Nazi hate messages through social media platforms

Author Shazia Hobbs is being investigated by police over allegations of posting pro-Nazi hate messages on social media platforms Telegram and Gab.

Ms Hobbs, who wrote a book centred around her own experiences of racism, was said to have attacked a member of an antisemitism awareness group by posting a photo of a Nazi salute with the caption: “raise your hand if you are tired of [name of member].”

Ms Hobbs’ Twitter account has been suspended, reportedly for antisemitic posts. She is also said to have created posts that featured swastikas on the social media platform Telegram and is accused of labelling a Holocaust survivor a “liar” on Gab.

In light of these accusations, her book contract is said to have been cancelled.

Last year, Ms Hobbes was photographed at an event for far-right group Patriotic Alternative. The group is led by the former head of the youth wing of the BNP, Mark Collett, who is reported to have dabbled in Holocaust denial, collaborated with the infamous American antisemite David Duke, and espoused antisemitic and racist views.

A report into Patriotic Alternative published last summer found that several members of the group engaged in Holocaust denial.

The group was found using social media platform Telegram to create neo-Nazi channels dedicated to share vile messages, antisemitic conspiracy theories and images glorifying Hitler. An investigation by Scottish news site The Ferret found over 2,000 messages swapped by members of Patriotic Alternative on Telegram.

Ms Hobbs is also known to have associated with the notorious antisemite Alison Chabloz, who was recently jailed for malicious communications relating to Jews.

When asked to comment, the Metropolitan Police said: “Police received an allegation of malicious communications relating to content of an antisemitic nature that had been posted online. Officers are in touch with the complainant. Inquiries are ongoing. There have been no arrests at this stage.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism continues its robust engagement with social media companies over the content that they enable to be published, and we continue to make representations to the Government in this connection.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has long called for tougher regulations on social media sites and that social networks proactively search for and remove hate speech from their platforms.