what the Government's strategy, and MI5 and CTP's operational approach, now is. It is also crucial to understand what the impact has been on the other areas of MI5's work as it has had to absorb this new area of work, and build its understanding of this increasingly complex and diverse threat.
5. Although the shape and profile of the Far-Right movement has evolved—from the ascendency of Oswald Mosley in the 1930s to the formation of the National Front and the emergence of the British National Party (BNP)—as a belief system it encompasses a wide range of individuals and organisations whose political outlook is more extreme than those at the centre right of the political spectrum, primarily on issues such as race and immigration, many of whom espouse violence. There are of course a broad range of mainstream right-wing views which are not linked to any kind of extremist ideology, let alone terrorist intent. It is the small minority at the extremist end of the movement who have engaged in racially and politically motivated violence, which has increasingly morphed into terrorism, with attacks such as that by David Copeland in London in 1999 and the murder in 2016 of Jo Cox MP by former BNP member and neo-Nazi Thomas Mair.
6. ERWT is a fragmented and complex area—not least when it comes to the question of terminology which appears to be an ever-shifting landscape. The new ERWT threat is increasingly driven by the internet and characterised by a technologically aware demographic of predominantly young men, many of them still in their teens who are typically 'Self-Initiated Terrorists'. It is notable, and a matter of particular concern, that evidence points to a number of them having mental health issues. There are also indications that some have issues with drugs. Crucially, few of these individuals belong to organised groups, or indeed need to—they are radicalised, and can radicalise others, online from the seclusion of their bedrooms.
7. As with so many of today's security challenges, the Intelligence Community are reliant on the communication service providers (CSPs) taking action: while the Home Office is making some progress bringing the major CSPs on board when it comes to properly monitoring and removing terrorist content, a great deal is riding on the Online Safety Bill in forcing the smaller, but no less influential, organisations to focus on their responsibilities in this area. In this, the UK is not alone. Our allies are facing the same challenges, as technology and ease of communication mean that ERWT is threat without borders, and in most cases without affiliation, making it a significant challenge for the Intelligence Community.
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