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4 September 2006 releases: Right-wing extremists
British Union of Fascists post-1940
File ref KV 3/277-283
This collection of reconstructed files of Security Service information about the British Union of Fascists after it was banned in 1940 give a detailed picture of the organisation and its activities from 1940 to 1945. The files, in reports from police authorities, memoranda, minutes and intercepted correspondence, give an account of the activities of the remaining adherents of the BUF after its leaders were interned in 1940.
KV 3/277 (1940-1942) includes reports on the effect of the internments on BUF activities, which ceased more or less entirely (serials 1701A and following). Roger Hollis' decision to implement the internments is noted at serial 1693B, and the file includes a photograph of seized BUF and Nazi badges. Towards the end of the file (e.g. at serial 1735A) we begin to see reports of the developing organisation of ex-BUF members led by Thomas Moran, which held meetings in pubs and in Hyde Park.
Further action against these ex-BUF members was considered and rejected in KV 3/278 (1942), where E B Stamp minuted on 15 June 1942: "We have a nucleus of a Fascist organisation which we are in a very strong position to watch. So long as it does no harm it seems to me a lot better to let it run than drive it into channels where we are not well placed to watch it." This opinion is backed up by an informant in the organisation, whose frequent reports on internal matters and communications (M/A reports) are found throughout these files. The report on Fascist activity since 1940 (the first of several in these files) at serial 1757A includes details of the early development of the British National Party (BNP).A further report on the BNP drawn up for RSLOs is at 1802Z in KV 3/279.
By October 1942, Stamp's view had changed and he recommended internment for more ex-BUF members (minute 1809 in KV 3/280). KV 3/281 (1942-1943) contains much detail of the 18B Publicity Council's activities as it opposed such detentions, and the effect on ex-BUF members of the release of detainees, including Moseley, when it came in 1943, is recorded in KV 3/282 (for example at serial 1931A: "The only effect of MOSELEY's release on ex-BU members...has been to encourage some mild celebrations, chiefly health drinking.").
