A UK conspiracy theory newspaper sharing calls for trials and executions of politicians and doctors has links with the British far-right and a German publication connected to a failed coup attempt, the BBC can reveal.
The Light, which prints at least 100,000 copies a month and has more than 18,000 followers on the social media site Telegram, grew to be a focal point of the UK conspiracy theory movement with its anti-vaccine, anti-lockdown stance during the pandemic.
In its pages and on its corresponding Telegram channels, the Light has shared hateful and violent rhetoric towards journalists, medics and MPs, as well as platforming far-right figures accused of antisemitism.
The paper is handed out free by volunteers in dozens of towns across the country, where local leaders have accused it of inflaming division and harassment with false and misleading claims about vaccines, the financial system and climate change, amid other more mundane articles on local politics, health and wellness.
Articles and content shared by the Light have called for the government, doctors, nurses and journalists to be punished for “crimes against humanity” in war crime-style trials sometimes called “Nuremberg 2.0” – referring to the execution of Nazi Party members after World War Two.
Recent articles declare “It’s just a matter of time before these worst perpetrators of war crimes are facing trial” like in “November 1945” and “MPs, doctors and nurses can be hanged”.
Other posts shared by the Light on Telegram have featured cartoons of gallows and included work addresses of “liable people to be held to account” for taking part in sinister plots to harm people with vaccines – plots for which there is no evidence.
Read More: The Light: Inside the UK’s conspiracy theory newspaper that shares violence and hate
