A Royal Marine from the unit guarding nuclear weapons has been questioned by counter-terrorism police over his alleged neo-Nazi links.
John Carr is understood to have posted a survey several months ago asking colleagues whether they were worried that diversity, equality and inclusion policies were in danger of forging an “unrecognisable, weak and compromised version of the corps”.
The survey, taken down in 24 hours, led to an internal investigation and an interview with the Ministry of Defence.
It was then discovered that Carr was a member of an extreme political party, a ministry source told The Times. Carr himself later confirmed that he is a member of the Homeland Party, a splinter group of the neo-Nazi Patriotic Alternative which has sought to distance itself from its far-right roots.
The marine, who serves with 43 Commando at HMNB Clyde – commonly known as the Faslane naval base – in Argyll and Bute, was referred to the Prevent counter-extremism programme and subsequently questioned by the police.
43 Commando is a 460-strong unit responsible for securing the UK’s strategic nuclear deterrent, preventing unauthorised access to the submarines and the nuclear weapons they carry.
In an online video, Carr defended his behaviour, saying: “We believe we have the high standards that we keep for a very important reason, which is to prevent marines from being killed in dangerous situations when we go to war … We’re concerned that those standards are being dropped.
“I ask them, ‘Am I being detained?’ They say, ‘No, you’re not being detained, but we’re holding you here under the Terrorism Act.’ And I’m just shaking my head in this instance. And I said, ‘Have I committed any acts of terrorism? Am I expected to commit any acts of terrorism?’ They said, ‘No, we have you here because of your views.’ ”
Carr is facing further investigation after publishing the “rant” , which is deemed to violate military standards, a defence source told The Times.
In the meantime, his security clearance has been suspended, and he has been told to work from home as opposed to the Faslane naval base, where he was recently deployed in a clerical capacity.
During an interview with TalkTV, Carr strenuously denied the claim that Homeland is a neo-Nazi party and that he had any extremist sympathies.
He said: “No I am not a neo-Nazi...I am a member of the Homeland Party, it’s on the Electoral Comission. It’s a party that is in no way associated with anything Nazi and it wouldn’t be allowed to be a party if it was – and I wouldn’t be a part of it if it was.
"I have spoken to a lot of people in the party individually and in person and they are not what they are reported to be.
"I am not a right-wing extremist, I’m a Royal marine who completes his job very well...I am in no way violent towards any other people. It’s an absurd narrative.”
The MoD has denied any positive discrimination in its diversity efforts — noting out that no woman has met the vigorous physical standards required to earn the Royal Marines Green Beret.
The MoD told The Times: “Royal Marine Commando selection standards haven’t changed, and the same high standards apply to every recruit.
“This issue is subject to an ongoing investigation, so we’re unable to comment further at this stage. We expect the highest standards of all our service personnel. We’re committed to investigating any allegation of behaviour that could bring the armed forces into disrepute.”
