Coleraine targeted by right-wing faction, says SDLP

Right-wing extremists linked to loyalist paramilitaries have targeted aNorthern Ireland town in a major recruitment drive, it…

Right-wing extremists linked to loyalist paramilitaries have targeted aNorthern Ireland town in a major recruitment drive, it was claimed tonight.

Posters and leaflets distributed in Coleraine, Co Derry call for all IRA"scum" to be hanged and include a telephone number for anyone wanting tojoin.

The White National Party campaign provoked outrage from the SDLP's Mr JohnDallat, a former mayor of Coleraine.

He said: "This is a sinister attempt by loyalist elements to repair theirimage and broaden their appeal among racists and sectarian bigots.

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"They're quite clearly modelling themselves on the Ku Klux Klan and areprepared to go to any lengths to emulate their masters in the British NationalParty."

The WNP has called a day of action in Coleraine on Saturday.

Amid fears that minorities and Catholics in the town may be attacked, MrDallat urged the police to crack down on the organisation.

He said: "This is a new cocktail of sectarianism and racism repackaged withpotentially explosive consequences.

"Coleraine is privileged to have in its midst ethnic minority communitiesmade up of people from different parts of the world.

"We depend on nurses and key workers in our hospitals from as far away as thePhilippines and eastern Europe.

"They make a very positive contribution to our society which is a lot morethan can be said for the wasters involved in this campaign of hate.

"The police really have to clamp down hard and protect these people from thispotential danger."