The Audio Long Read A year of hate: what I learned when I went undercover with the far right
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May 19, 2025 
In this intriguing discussion, journalist Harry Shukman, who works for Hope Not Hate, shares his eye-opening experiences infiltrating far-right extremist groups under the pseudonym Chris. He recounts a tense yet humorous encounter at a pub with a white nationalist leader. Shukman delves into the psychological strain of maintaining a false identity and reveals unsettling ties between fringe ideologies and mainstream discourse. His firsthand experiences at a far-right conference in Estonia expose alarming discussions on race science and the motivations behind extremist beliefs.
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Deep Undercover in Far Right
- Harry Shukman went undercover in nine far-right groups over a year under the pseudonym Chris.
- He participated in protests and meetings, capturing extremist views on camera while maintaining his cover.
Loneliness Drives Far-Right Joining
- Many far-right members join groups driven by loneliness rather than ideology.
- Their need for companionship often makes it hard for them to leave, despite misgivings.
Far-Right Views Influence Policy
- Far-right ideas about race and intelligence influence some government policy discussions.
- Andrew Sabisky wrote about race and IQ while briefly employed by Downing Street.