LOYALISTS in Scotland have refused to end their support for far-right protesters who confronted refugee rights and anti-racist demonstrations in Glasgow despite their links to neonazism.  

Grand Master Jim McHarg of the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland previously rejected any claims of racism or neonazism being on display during protests in Glasgow.

Mr McHarg refused yesterday to condemn thugs who gathered to oppose a demonstration at George Square by activists seeking to stop evictions of refugees.

He claims those gathered under the banners of the National Defence League (NDL) were “proud patriots and unionists.”

Mr McHarg told the Daily Record: “I will not be condemning any of those who are trying to do their patriotic duty in defending these statues because they believe in this nation.”

But an investigation by anti-fascists in Glasgow and anti-racist group Hope Not Hate has found the organiser of recent far-right demos in Scotland has links to neonazi groups and the Orange Order.

Hard-line loyalist demonstrations orchestrated by the NDL were found to have been organised by the organisation’s founder Lee Parkinson. 

Mr Parkinson, whose own presence on social media shows he has tattoos depicting Nazi imagery, reportedly has links to a number of far-right and neonazi groups online. 

He also claims to be “one of the top boys” in the National Front and is now one of the primary organisers of the NDL’s social media. 

Despite this evidence being provided to the Orange Order, Mr McHarg has refused to denounce the NDL, failing to reply to questions posed by the Star.