Politics Weekly UK A year of hate: what I learned when I went undercover with the far right – from The Audio Long Read
Aug 25, 2025
Harry Shukman, a journalist with Hope Not Hate and author of 'Year of the Rat: Undercover in the British Far Right', shares gripping insights from his undercover work within the far-right. He discusses the unsettling human connections formed with extremists, the chilling overlap between these ideologies and mainstream politics, and uncovers the shocking realities of a far-right conference. Shukman highlights the risks of normalization of hate and reveals the alarming financial backing for radical movements, posing critical questions for society.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
A Year Embedded As 'Chris'
- Harry Shukman spent more than a year undercover in British far-right groups using the pseudonym Chris.
- He embedded himself with nine groups, recording meetings and building trust to reveal their true views.
Craft A Believable Cover Identity
- Build a believable cover by anchoring false details to your real life to reduce slip-ups.
- Keep your behaviour normal, quiet, and dependable so you don't attract suspicion in the group.
Recording Fail Cost Crucial Evidence
- Shukman learned the hard way to check recording devices after a crucial camera failed during a Britain First outing.
- He described the devastation of discovering the camera had been off the whole time.
