Far-Right Website Operator Jailed for Spreading Terrorist Propaganda
A Leeds man who ran two websites spreading far-right propaganda and encouraging terrorism has been locked up for seven years.
Colin McNeil Provided Platform for Neo-Nazi Hate
Colin McNeil, 46, didn’t create the hateful content himself but operated sites featuring racist documents, images, and videos glorifying Hitler, Nazis, and notorious Neo-Nazis. His platforms also honoured mass murderers like Brenton Tarrant, who killed 51 people at Christchurch mosques in 2019.
One site functioned like a social media hub, boasting 5,716 members, over 255,000 photos, and 6,499 videos. The other focused on videos with 12,345 members and nearly 80,000 clips, even offering users a $50 “pro” upgrade to post ad-free videos, livestream, and sell content.
Inspiration for Mass Shootings Linked to Website Content
Evidence showed the websites inspired terrorists worldwide. For instance, 18-year-old Payton Gendron, who murdered 10 people in a Buffalo grocery store in 2022, engaged with McNeil’s sites through likes and comments on racist posts.
McNeil profited through user donations and openly expressed his racist views on the platforms.
Seven-Year Sentence After Counter Terror Police Investigation
McNeil pleaded guilty to four counts of disseminating terrorist publications at Sheffield Crown Court on April 11, 2024. Today, he was sentenced to seven years in prison following a thorough investigation by North East Counter Terrorism Police.
Bethan David, Head of the CPS Counter Terrorism Division, said: “Colin McNeil allowed his websites to operate as propaganda platforms for far-right terrorist material. He profited from user donations and knowingly permitted access to hateful content that inspired violent extremists, including overseas attackers. The CPS is committed to prosecuting anyone who encourages terrorism.”
