Financial firm urged to ban far-right Homeland Party
The activist group Red Flare has written to Stripe, headquartered in San Francisco and Dublin, urging the firm to block the far-right group from using its systems.
In an email to company bosses, seen by the Sunday National, spokesperson Allan Jones said: 'Stripe is helping the Homeland Party process membership payments, donations, event tickets and merchandise sales via its website.'
They pointed out that this included tickets for the party's 2025 'remigration conference' in April, which featured far-right French author Renaud Camus, the originator of the 'great replacement' conspiracy theory.
Camus is notorious for his 2011 work Le Grand Remplacement, which argues that European rulers are systematically replacing white people with Muslims from the Middle East and Africa.
Homeland revealed on their Facebook page last month that Camus had been 'shamefully banned from entering the United Kingdom by the Home Office, on the grounds that his views on mass migration were deemed politically inconvenient', though he delivered a speech through a video link.
Jones, of Red Flare, said: 'Stripe is helping Britain's largest fascist party build its infrastructure – processing payments for membership, merchandise and events where speakers push racist conspiracy theories.
'Homeland's leadership includes Holocaust deniers, Hitler admirers and men with deep roots in Britain's neo-Nazi scene. This is a party that wants to deport millions of people based on the colour of their skin.
'Stripe has policies against hate and harmful political fundraising. If those mean anything, Homeland should be dropped immediately. Tech platforms shouldn't be neutral when it comes to fascism, they should draw a line.'
(Image: Newsquest)
The company was sent a dossier on the Homeland Party showing how they had formed as a breakaway sect from far-right group Patriotic Alternative.
Party chair Kenny Smith was a member of Patriotic Alternative's leadership team in 2022, when the organisation hosted Andreas Johansson, of the Nordic Resistance Movement, at its conference.
The Nordic Resistance Movement, a neo-Nazi group from Sweden, was designated a terrorist organisation by the US State Department in 2024.
A Homeland spokesperson said: 'This is guilt by association at its most dishonest. Red Flare is recycling old headlines and smearing the Homeland Party with individuals and events that have no connection to us.
'We are a lawful political party. We reject these lies and this ideological blackmail, and we will not lie down and accept it. Enough is enough.'
Stripe was approached for comment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
I stayed in the Airbnb alternative trying to do things differently
Metro Checks In to Limehome, a holiday rental platform that's hoping to give Airbnb and VRBO a run for their money. I love Spain, particularly its mainland cities; gazing at Gaudi's masterpieces in Barcelona, watching flamenco in Madrid, and of course, eating tapas anywhere, anytime, at any given opportunity. But as a British tourist, Spain doesn't always love me back. Backlash to mass tourism has snowballed in the past year, with locals complaining of overcrowding and short-term rentals wiping out affordable housing in holiday hotspots. At first glance, Limehome, a sort of Airbnb alternative which offers short-let apartments in 153 European cities, might seem like it's adding to the problem. But the strategy is different. Limehome aims to transform unused urban buildings into hotels and apartments, reducing the impact on housing for locals. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. 'This approach helps bring new life to city areas without impacting the availability of residential housing,' a spokesperson told Metro. They've recently acquired an office building in Paris, which will be transformed into 25 apartments, as well as an unused building in Burgos, a city in Northern Spain less popular with visitors than its famous neighbours. I headed to the Limehome in Ruzafa, Valencia's trendiest neighbourhood, to check it out. Limehome is a hotel-holiday apartment hybrid. There's no reception or concierge — it's all done via an app. You can check in online before your stay, much like you do for a flight. Then, on the day of arrival, you're sent the codes which you use to access the building. To some, this could feel impersonal, but it's quick, easy and faff-free. Opening the door to the light-filled apartment, it's clear to see that providing a clean, comfortable stay is the priority. The aesthetic is all clean lines and grey interiors, with a pop-of-red kitchen. There are a few extra touches to make the place feel cosier, such as houseplants and colourful art on the walls. If a hotel full of personality and local tips is what you're after, this isn't for you — if you'd told me I was the first person to stay here, I'd have believed you. There's no guest book or well-worn pamphlets like you might find in an Airbnb, and I didn't see a single other guest for the three days I was there. But the apartment was spotless, the kitchen stocked with everything you need (including an all-important bottle opener) and the Wi-Fi super fast. Someone visiting Valencia on business would be equally at home here as a group of friends on a city break. The apartment I stayed in had one bedroom, plus a sofa bed in the lounge/dining area. It was spacious, more than big enough for the maximum four people that could stay here. Beds were comfortable, and the bathroom was equipped with shower gel and shampoo, unusual for stays like this. As a self-catered apartment, you won't find any adds on: there's no spa or swimming pool, for example, but the standout feature has to be the cute balcony that looks out onto the street below. Small but compact, it was the perfect spot to rest my legs after a long day of sightseeing, sangria in hand, of course. A special shout-out also goes to the full-length mirror – this should be a must in every holiday accommodation, but it's not. Often, when staying in a self-service apartment, it's all about location. You're foregoing the luxury amenities of a hotel, in exchange for staying right in the action. That's certainly the case for Limehome Valencia, which is in the heart of Ruzafa, Valencia's hipster neighbourhood. You're spoilt for choice when it comes to food and drink: from aesthetically pleasing brunch spots (I liked Casa Raíz with it's cute outdoor courtyard), and some of the best tapas I've ever eaten (I lost count of the amount of plates I ordered at La Anjana) to quirky cocktail bars (La Bella De Cadiz is quite a sight to behold…). There are vintage stores and art galleries, and Ruzafa is known for being particularly LGBTQ+ friendly, with rainbow flagged adorned from various balconies and awnings. And, while it's not Valencia's most famous area for street art (you'll have to head to El Carmen for that), Rufaza feels colourful and creative. You'll still be able to spot some amazing murals if you keep your eyes peeled. You feel like you're hanging out with the locals here, who spill out of bars, and drink Agua de Valencia — a lethal but delicious cocktail — on the kerb. The only downside is that it's not exactly quiet, and it was a little noisy when attempting to sleep. That being said, as a Londoner who lives on a main road, I was able to drift out without any problems. That's not as straightforward as you might think. Limehome uses airline-style dynamic pricing driven by demand, the local market price, and the respective occupancy rate at the location. Rates rise during peak periods (such as during Valencia's famous street-festival Las Fallas in mid-March) and falls when demand is softer. At the time of writing, a standard room in Valencia for a small one-guest apartment will cost: October 8 2025: €123 per night January 14 2026: €98 per night When I first arrived, I threw open the doors of the balcony, and was immediately confronted with a banner hanging from the window of the flat opposite, with the words 'tourists go home'. Perhaps I should have opted for an alternative destination or a locally-run hotel — as Metro's Lifestyle Editor, it's not like I'm unaware of up-and-coming cities that aren't overrun with visitors. More Trending I tried my best to be a responsible tourist. I booked tours with local companies, bought produce from local suppliers at the Central Market, and ate food at restaurants owned by Spanish chefs. Yes, I may have stayed in a short-term let, but Limehome is at least attempting to do things differently. Am I trying to justify my trip to a country that welcomed a staggering 17.3 million British tourists in 2023 alone? Maybe. But I'm not ready to give up my love affair with Spain just yet. Time: Valencia is GMT +1 hours. Weather: The average daily temperature in July and August is around 31°C. Spring is much cooler, with highs of around 21°C in April. Adaptors: Plugs in Spain are type F, which has two round pins. Visas: Currently, there is no visa requirement for UK tourists visiting Spain. However, next year 2026, UK citizens will need to obtain an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System). Check in/check out: 3pm and 11am. Disability access? Yes. Limehome Valencia has a lift, which offers access to all floors. However, not all Limehome apartments are the same, and it's important to check before booking. Standout feature: The right-in-the-heart-of-it location, and little balcony. Perfect for: Limehome Valencia would suit pretty much every type and group of guest, from families to business travellers. Not right for: Those looking for a stay with bags of character. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Europe's 'Paris of the East' is an underrated gem with £37 flights and 31°C August weather MORE: Family forced to hide in their cabin during £8,000 cruise from hell MORE: European seaside town takes aim at tourists with sassy poster and begs for 'decorum'
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Biggest ever drug dealer named as Royal Family member who overshadowed Pablo Escobar
Queen Victoria reigned for 63 years but the monarch was also major player in the opium trade, and she has now been named the biggest drug dealer in history by Time magazine Queen Victoria, an English monarch, has been dubbed the greatest drug kingpin in history. The Queen was known for her fondness for alcohol, particularly a peculiar blend of whisky and red wine. However, long before the birth of notorious drug lord Joaquín Guzmán (El Chapo) and Pablo Escobar, Victoria had a well-known interest in drugs. One of her preferred beverages was Vin Mariani, a concoction made by infusing cocoa leaves in French red wine, to which cocaine was added. According to the BBC, Victoria, who ascended to the throne at the tender age of 18 in 1837, is said to have enjoyed 'cocaine gum' with a young Winston Churchill. It's worth noting that cocaine was legal at the time, and Europeans were starting to experiment with this new substance. Cocaine chewing gum was touted as a self-esteem booster and a remedy for toothaches. The queen also believed it was a health drug with no adverse effects. Victoria, who presided over the British Empire, also used a liquid form of cannabis for menstrual pain and chloroform during childbirth. Tony McMahon, writing in Smithsonian magazine, stated: "Queen Victoria, I think by any standard, she loved her drugs." In addition to cocaine and cannabis, Victoria also consumed a glass of laudanum every morning, a mixture of opium (the dried residue of poppies) and alcohol. And it was her connection with opium that saw her branded the biggest drug dealer in history by Time magazine, who even claimed she made "Escobar and El Chapo look like low-level street dealers". The young monarch encountered conflict with China from the earliest moments of her reign. The Chinese supplied tea-loving Brits with their favourite beverage, but there was nothing to exchange in return, meaning only one nation was making money. Yet opium quickly became the solution, and it was conveniently cultivated in British-controlled India. Consequently, the British East India Company conducted business with China throughout Victoria's rule. This opium commerce wasn't unprecedented, but according to Time, it "grew exceptionally" following her ascension to the throne. Opium was considered a valuable painkiller, so the British East India Company reaped enormous profits from it, particularly when the Chinese became dependent, making them prepared to pay increasingly higher prices for the habit-forming substance. Following this reversal in economic power from China to Britain, the Chinese chose to clamp down on the narcotic, which was illegal in the nation but this was typically overlooked. This ultimately sparked the notorious Opium Wars. Academic Lin Zexu penned a letter directly to Queen Victoria declaring it was unethical to be saturating China with substances that were causing millions of their "elites" to become addicted. However, the drug trade reportedly accounted for up to 20% of the empire's annual revenue, so the aforementioned letter was never even opened. According to AlJazeera, a Chinese official wrote: "He who sells opium shall receive the death penalty and he who smokes it also the death penalty." Victoria was soon compelled to address the escalating situation after Lin Zexu ordered the interception of a fleet of British ships in 1839, before a staggering amount of opium (2.5 million pounds) was dumped into the South China Sea. Victoria declared war on China (known as the First Opium War), resulting in the deaths of thousands of Chinese citizens. Utterly defeated, a "peace treaty" was signed, which saw Britain take control of Hong Kong and more opium ports were established in the region. This brutal defeat, during Victoria's reign, was seen as the "century of humiliation" for China. Despite the loss of innocent lives, Victoria, who ruled for 63 years, ruthlessly ensured the opium money kept flowing. It was for this reason that she has been labelled by Time as the most powerful and successful drug lord in history.
The Herald Scotland
3 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Sydney Sweeney drama: JD Vance addresses American Eagle ad controversy
"My political advice to the Democrats is continue to (call) everybody who thinks Sydney Sweeney is attractive is a Nazi," Vance joked during an episode of the conservative "Ruthless" podcast on Friday, Aug. 1. "That appears to be their actual strategy." The Nazi party used the pseudoscience of eugenics, which promotes some genetic features as better than others, to justify the killing of Jews and countless other minority groups during the Holocaust. Sydney Sweeney dishes on the best jeans, her favorite rom-com and what's on her playlist American Eagle's campaign, which has spawned a fierce cultural debate, used wordplay to describe Sweeney, 27, as having "good genes," a wordplay to promote the brand's denim jeans. Critics have said the ad blitz amounts to a glorification of whiteness and a dog whistle for racist ideologies. But her supporters have said the ad is meant to be a light-hearted wordplay, defending the "Euphoria" actress and the brand. Sweeney previously told USA TODAY that denim was a staple of her wardrobe, but left out AE in her list of favored brands at the time. "I'm very much a white, plain T-shirt kind of girl. I jump around from a bunch of different brands and that kind of depends on what vibe I want to go for," she said. "I have my Levi's white T-shirts and my Cotton On white T-shirts that are just paired with casual jeans. Jean wise: I mean, I love Levi's, Frame, Agolde." Sydney Sweeney controversy, explained In one of several videos for AE, Sweeney, clad in a denim-on-denim outfit, says: "Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color." "My jeans are blue," she says as the camera pans across her blue denim and her blue eyes. Soon after the campaign dropped, people began to sound the alarm on what they saw as a dangerous message about the beauty ideal, race and "good" versus "bad" genes. Vance, though, chalked the whole ordeal up to an overreaction from the "left" and a doubling down on a strategy that he thinks lost the Democrats the 2024 presidential election. Dunkin' ad about 'genetics' draws comparisons to Sydney Sweeney drama "I actually thought that one of the lessons (Democrats) might take is 'we're going to be less crazy.' And the lesson they have apparently taken is 'we're going to attack people as Nazis for thinking Sydney Sweeney is beautiful,'" he said on the podcast. "Great strategy, guys. That's how you're going to win the midterm, especially young American men." The ad's critics, however, argued that a campaign selling jeans to women should not have been shot so clearly from the male gaze. Some consumers were quick to point out what they saw as the regressive nature of the material: A buxom blonde woman drawing attention to her body and employing a sensual tone, they argued, calling back to a stereotypical symbol of a bygone era. "Wasn't she the one who said she didn't want to be seen as an object?" one commenter asked on Sweeney's Instagram page, while another chided: "We can leave Nazi Germany back where it got conquered ty next!!!" Sweeney has not yet spoken out about the controversy, though several prominent members of the GOP have chimed in on her behalf. Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, for instance, took to X on July 29 to blast the left for criticizing the ad. "Wow. Now the crazy Left has come out against beautiful women. I'm sure that will poll well...." he wrote. White House's communications director Steven Cheung, a longtime adviser for President Donald Trump, also maligned the criticism, calling it "cancel culture run amok." "This warped, moronic and dense liberal thinking is a big reason why Americans voted the way they did in 2024," he wrote on X July 29, adding that people are "tired" of this way of thinking. But, when a second ad campaign, this time from Dunkin', dropped featuring the same "genetic" themes, many critics felt vindicated, arguing that it signaled a greater cultural shift toward genetic hierarchy and racism.
