The Base: UK to ban US-based white supremacist group as terrorist organisation

The British government is to ban US-based white supremacist group The Base as a terrorist organisation.

The neo-Nazi group, which was formed in 2018, has been attempting to recruit armed militants to launch terror attacks and prepare for a “race war”.

The Home Office said The Base shared much of its ideology and mission with Atomwaffen Division, which it banned earlier this year.

Priti Patel, the home secretary, said: “We continue to take robust action against evil white supremacist groups, who target vulnerable people across the world to join in their hateful ideologies and their sick promotion of violence.

“I am committed to making it as difficult as possible for these organisations to operate in the UK, both by banning them and increasing the penalties for membership or support, in order to protect the public and our national security.”

Proscription makes it a criminal offence in Britain to be a member of the group or invite support for it, with maximum prison sentences of 14 years.

The order was laid in parliament on Monday and if approved by MPs, will come into force later this week.

Officials said the ban followed advice from a proscription review group, including intelligence agencies and experts.