The Tories have been warned to be on their guard over their European links with Polish and Czech right-wing parties.
Conservative leader David Cameron met leaders of Poland’s Law and Justice party (PiS) at the weekend, as well as Mirek Topolánek, the leader of the Czech Republic’s Civic Democratic Party (ODS). The opposition PiS party is run by twin brothers Jaroslav and Lech Kaczynski.
Mr Cameron met the Poles and Czechs to consolidate the foundation a new right-of-centre bloc, which will operate in the new European Parliament after yesterday’s (Thursday) elections. To achieve status within the EU, a bloc needs 25 MEPs from at least seven member states.
But Gerry Gable, founder of the anti-fascist magazine Searchlight, said Mr Cameron should be careful about choice of allies.
“The Conservatives appear to be showing a bad lack of judgement. Any proper research into these organisations and the people who populate and support them would make any decent Tory run a mile,” said Mr Gable.
“Some of these people are antisemitic and some aren’t. However, the anti-Roma material coming from the Czech party is awful.
“The way they speak about the Roma is the same way in which people used to talk about Jews. It is very disturbing.”
Community Security Trust communications director Mark Gardner said: “It is important that British politicians of all parties ensure they do not cultivate partnerships with European counterparts who may hold extreme views on issues such as human rights, racism and democracy.”