The National Front turned out on the streets of Birmingham yesterday to hold a St George’s Day march through the north of the city.
It was the first time that the far-right party, which describes itself as a ‘racial nationalist’ party, has turned up on the streets since it was last banned from doing so in 2001.
Up to 40 men and women marched through the streets of Kingstanding to raise awareness about candidates standing in the upcoming local and general elections.
But they were also there to commemorate the death of local man Jason Spence, who they described as one of “The Fallen”.
Father-of-three Jason was gunned down at point-blank range as he left a Birmingham pub with friends in 2002.
It is believed that Jason, 31, regularly attended National Front meetings and rallies, and was known across the Midlands.
Within hours of the shooting on November 19, messages of remembrance and threats of revenge were posted on extremist websites.
But nobody has ever been charged with his murder and his widow Jacqui, 32, claims the police have “left her in the dark” about the investigation.
Jason’s three children – Tammy, 14, Cherree, 19, and Jason, 21 – still have no clue why their father was murdered shortly after leaving the New Bell pub.
A lack of police contact has frustrated the family and has left them feeling forgotten, with nowhere to turn to.
Jacqui said she supported the National Front march and denied claims that its members were exploiting her late husband’s memory.
“I was not upset about them commemorating Jason’s death, I thought it was a nice gesture,” she said. “But I was upset by a number of press reports which claimed they were hijacking his memory.
“They were only ever friends of his. It just happened they were promoting election candidates in the area yesterday and thought it would be nice to remember Jason.
“To be honest I’m more upset by the police investigation into Jason’s death. We have heard nothing from them at all and it seems like they are not interested.
“I have told them the information they need lots of times. They know exactly what they need to do and who they need to question but they just don’t seem interested. It is a terrible situation to be in.”
The NF will be putting forward candidates in the local election in Kingstanding and Oscott, as well as in the General Election in Erdington.
Oscott candidate Keith Axon, 63, a retired salesman said he doubts that he can win the Oscott seat but claimed more people are supporting the NF because of Labour’s immigration policies.
“The white working class in places like Kingstanding feel alienated and let down by the political process,” he said. “People have had enough of feeling like second-class citizens in their own country.”
Sunday Mercury
