Australia's Tough Stance: British National Facing Deportation Over Neo-Nazi Allegations

A British man living in Western Australia is set to be deported over claims that he was part of a well-known neo-Nazi group.

Ryan Turner's visa was cancelled on character grounds and he was taken into immigration detention on Tuesday. He can appeal the decision to cancel his visa or voluntarily return to the UK.

Turner is understood to be a member of the National Socialist Network, the same group that organised an anti-Jewish rally outside the New South Wales parliament last year.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated: Our government has zero tolerance for bigotry and hate. If you don't like Australia, you can leave.

The BBC has contacted the UK Foreign Office for comment.

Last year, Australia tightened its hate crime laws, introducing mandatory jail terms for displaying hate symbols or performing a Nazi salute.

In recent months, police have been cracking down on the use of these symbols amid fears of rising antisemitism and right-wing extremism.

Several foreign nationals with links to Nazi ideology have had their visas revoked, including South African man Matthew Gruter, who was detained last November.

Gruter was also part of the National Socialist Network and took part in the neo-Nazi rally outside the New South Wales parliament. It is unclear if Turner attended.

Gruter was seen in the front row of the rally along with about 60 men, all clad in black, with a banner saying abolish the Jewish lobby. Attendees reportedly chanted blood and honour, a slogan associated with the Hitler Youth, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

Gruter, who had lived in Australia since 2022 and worked as a civil engineer, returned to South Africa with his wife and child in early December.

In another case, a British man living in Queensland was arrested and charged for allegedly using social media to promote Nazi ideology and violence against the Jewish community.

Just before Christmas, Kayn Adam Charles Wells was placed in immigration detention after visa cancellation. His court case was adjourned until February.

Following a tragic incident where two gunmen killed 15 people at a Jewish event at Bondi Beach, Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a crackdown on hate speech with new laws to target those spreading hate and radicalization.

The reforms will empower the home affairs minister to cancel or refuse visas for individuals promoting hate.