Notorious far-right fundraiser Jim Dowson has returned to Scotland to support the country's growing anti-immigration protests, using his links to American far-right groups to raise money for new extremist outfits. The former top-ranking BNP fundraiser, originally from Airdrie, has spent the last 20 years fundraising for the far-right in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Hungary and the US. He lives in a large house in Comber, County Down in Northern Ireland.
Dowson's US connections and militia equipment
A vocal supporter of Donald Trump's 2016 election campaign, Dowson connected to the hard right of American politics through his Knights Templar International organisation. He has posted videos online handing out stab vests, walkie-talkies and bodycams to the Scots Active group, which has been accused of targeting ethnic minorities during night-time “patrols” in Glasgow city centre. Dowson also made appeals for other groups to come forward to receive his donations of militia-style equipment.
During a video address to supporters in the US, Dowson claimed Scotland was “under threat” from immigrants. The 63-year-old said: “Keep the support coming. We want to make sure these people can keep their womenfolk and their girls safe in this city.”
Fundraising through merchandise sales
Dowson runs Knights Templar International, which makes money selling T-shirts and other merchandise on medieval heraldry and right-wing conspiracy theories. Goods on sale include a Templar lionheart sword for $670 (£491) or a Knights Templar flag for $99 (£73). Such flags have already been sported at brutal vigilante patrols in Northern Ireland.
Alex MacKinnon, a researcher at the Hope not Hate anti-fascist organisation, said Dowson was now a key figure in Scotland's far-right threat. He said: “It is unsurprising that Dowson has seen an opportunity to support far-right vigilante groups in Glasgow as they align with his own extremist views. As the founder of Britain First and previously a major figure in the BNP, Dowson's involvement makes it increasingly difficult for these groups to shake off accusations of racism.”
Warnings from Northern Ireland and Glasgow Green appearance
Sources in Northern Ireland have warned Loyalists who align with the far-right are now keenly focusing on stirring up hate in Glasgow. A spokesperson for anti-racism group, End Deportations Belfast, said: “Jim Dowson is an unknown to most, however he has a well-documented history of far-right organising, financing and networking in volatile regions. His involvement in equipping Scots street militias should sound alarm bells. Hiding behind a religious facade, Dowson is seeking to export methods perfected on Belfast streets to Scotland.”
Dowson, who is an ordained Protestant minister and wears a dog collar during his videos, uses his clips to support his extremist doctrine that white people are being replaced in a global conspiracy. His long career in right-wing politics has seen him move through anti-abortion campaigning to supporting a militia in forcibly defending borders of Hungary from immigrants.
During his appearance at Glasgow Green on July 25 – an event that saw masked louts make Nazi salutes as they ran wild – Dowson warned that Glasgow is “filling the houses up with Africans from all over the world”. He added: “It's a massive mess. I was here last night and this park was teeming with Africans and people, goodness knows where they come from. So we're helping about four groups here at the moment. It's early days, but I want to thank all the Templar people for their generosity to make it possible.”
Among those present in the Glasgow Green video was Darren Docherty, founder of the Scots Active group. The Record previously told how Docherty was a moderator of a WhatsApp group titled, “Get These C**** Out” – which was the main organising instrument for a far-right demo in Buchanan Street, Glasgow, on June 13, which was marred by violence. Docherty has denied being behind that demo or being a racist. After accepting gifts from Dowson, Scots Active posted on Facebook: “Absolutely amazing people from the Knights Templar and the team can't wait to get back out there and get this kit used.”
Another to join with Dowson was Grant Calder, a Reform UK campaigner who supported Thomas Kerr MSP during the Scottish Parliament election. Calder was suspended by Reform after making anti-semitic comments and joining the far-right protests in Glasgow. The Record first documented Dowson's activities in the late 1990s, when he was an anti-abortion activist. The Record attempted to contact Jim Dowson via his public social media platform but did not receive a reply.
