By Ceasefire Bites

Following legal action by HOPE not hate, right-wing politician Nigel Farage has withdrawn claims that Britain’s largest anti-racism organisation pursued “violent and undemocratic means”. 

The former UKIP leader has backed down from allegations made on LBC show that anti-racism charity was “violent and undemocratic”, and has agreed not to repeat claims or to allow others to do so on his behalf.

The result is a major victory for HOPE not hate, which took Mr Farage to court for the unacceptable comments he made on LBC radio on 20 December last year, responding to a Twitter exchange with Jo Cox’s widower, Brendan Cox.

HOPE not hate Charitable Trust and HOPE not hate Limited both filed a libel claim against Mr Farage after he refused to retract his comments.

Our libel claim was made possible by over 16,000 people who donated to our appeal.

“I am delighted with this victory and that we’ve held Nigel Farage to account,” said HOPE not hate chief executive Nick Lowles.

“The case was about the truth and about HOPE not hate saying no to Nigel Farage’s attempts to smear us. For too long right-wing politicians have got away with smearing and abusing their opponents. We drew a line in the sand and ‘no more’.

 “We are an avowedly peaceful organisation and Farage’s false claims were deeply damaging to the vital work we do bringing communities together across cultural and religious divides.

 “Anyone else repeating these smears our pursuing a false news agenda against our organisation should be put on note that we won’t hesitate to take further action to protect our reputation. We also hope this case sends a wider signal to right-wing politicians that smearing people will no longer be accepted.”

 In a statement filed with the High Court, Mr Farage said:

 “Having now considered the position further I am happy to acknowledge that Hope not Hate does not tolerate or pursue violent or undemocratic behaviour.”

 Nigel Farage has also agreed that he will not repeat this claim or allow anyone else to do so on his behalf.

Ceasefire Bites is Ceasefire's news and opinion blog.