What does Hope not Hate actually do?

The anti-racism group hit back at Nigel Farage after he accused it of being violent and ‘extremist’ this week. This is what really happens at their workshops

This week, former Ukip leader Nigel Farage accused the widower of the Labour MP Jo Cox of having links to extremism. The “extremists” in question are the anti-racist group Hope not Hate, an organisation supported by Brendan Cox through his wife’s memorial fund. “He backs organisations like Hope Not Hate, who masquerade as being lovely and peaceful, but actually pursue violent and undemocratic means,” Farage told LBC Radio on Tuesday. Hope not Hate said it might take legal action in response, and has begun crowdfunding for its legal costs.

The group’s chief executive, Nick Lowles, says he has been overwhelmed by the support. “For a lot of people, including ourselves, there is a wider issue. People are horrified by the toxic nature of our political debate, certainly in terms of what has gone on in Britain and in the US – and this is just one example of it.”