A CHARITY has mentioned two Oldham political groups in a report that analyses the ‘state of far-right extremism' in Britain today.

The Hope Not Hate charity mentions both the Failsworth Independent Party (FIP) and the hyperlocal party Proud of Oldham and Saddleworth (POS) in its State of Hate 2022 report, published earlier this month.

According to the charity, which works to expose and oppose far-right extremism, the ‘domestic far right’ is ‘actively mobilising’ in Britain and ‘exploiting the uncertainties created by economic hardship’.

The charity’s report adds that at ‘at worst’ hyperlocal politicians can tap into ‘historic tensions’ and contribute to the ‘poisoning of the political discourse’ by dominating local community Facebook groups and ‘stoking strong anti-council sentiment’ that can spill into aggression towards councillors and local politicians.

In the report the Failsworth Independent Party (FIP) is accused of benefitting from a ‘bitter online campaign’ against Labour figures, including former Oldham Council leader Sean Fielding, who was accused of ‘corruption, fraud and of allowing “Asian cartels” and 'on-street grooming groups to operate in the town without challenge’.

The online campaign, the report adds, was ‘spearheaded’ by figures linked to the hyperlocal party Proud of Oldham and Saddleworth (POAS).

In response to the Failsworth Independent Party (FIP) being mentioned in the report, the leader of the FIP Cllr Brian Hobin said: “We have always maintained and been commended for our professional and clean campaigns.

"Our election victories have come about from working hard within and being part of our community.

“From the outset, we have been subject to the most vile abuse on social media which sadly continues to this day.”

He added: “We will endeavour to continue to represent our constituents the best way we can, despite how some would like to portray us.

"Our community know us as individuals, they have placed their trust in us. It’s our belief this is worth more than the writing or rantings of people who know nothing about us personally, Failsworth or its people.”

In response to Proud of Oldham and Saddleworth (POAS) featuring, leader Paul Errock, said that any hate speech, racism, offensive, malicious, or homophobic comments are ‘deleted immediately on identification’ from POAS social media accounts and that POAS is attempting to ‘raise the bar’ on ‘conduct’ and the ‘manner in which the group addresses issues’, as opposed to ‘smear and hate speech’.

He added: “Since inception in November 2019, the bullying, intimidation, hate and malicious communications directed at POAS and its members has been omnipresent.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I anticipate vitriolic and toxic nature of local politics, or the type and venom that we have been recipients of and moreover the lack of addressing this issue by the authorities.”