In November, Mr Bridge and associates travelled to Calais, northern France, where social media videos showed them wading into the water to confront migrants.
An overloaded boat leaves France for the UK (Image: Getty)
A far-right linked activist group that blanketed England with thousands of St George’s and Union Jack flags last year has unveiled plans for a vigilante operation to halt small-boat migrant crossings in the Channel, dubbing it “Operation Overlord” in a nod to the D-Day landings. Mr Bridge, co-founder of Raise the Colours, told a podcast he aims to “do the Keir Starmer” by “smashing the gangs” behind the crossings, echoing the Prime Minister’s rhetoric on tackling people smuggling.
Mr Bridge, a football hooligan associated with Birmingham City’s Zulus firm, claimed his group would succeed where the Government has failed. Speaking on the Anything Goes with James English podcast, Mr Bridge said: “We’ve all got this burning passion inside us that we know it’s not right. We want to stop it. We really do want to do the Keir Starmer, we’re going to smash the gangs.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Image: Getty)
In November, Mr Bridge and associates travelled to Calais, northern France, where social media videos showed them wading into the water to confront migrants in boats and slashing inflatable vessels. Invoking World War II imagery, Mr Bridge said: “You can see Dover and think, ‘Bloody hell, the Germans got this far and we held them back in the war’.” He further described migration as an “illegal invasion.”
He plans to use the winter lull in crossings—due to harsh weather—to prepare for summer action. Mr Bridge predicted: “By this time next year… not one immigrant has come across.” Addressing accusations of extremism, Mr Bridge said: “Hitler was a raving psychopath. That’s not what we’re about.” He claimed Raise the Colours is reclaiming flags from racist groups like the English Defence League (EDL) and National Front.
However, the group has ties to far-right figures, including Danny Tommo, a close ally of former EDL leader Tommy Robinson, who was jailed for a knifepoint kidnapping attempt. Last year, Raise the Colours drew endorsements from Robinson and was accused of stoking racial tensions, though it denied this.
Regarding the presence of the flag at his home, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “I am very encouraging of flag-flying.” He noted his family displays a St George’s flag in Downing Street, while cautioning against divisive use.
This story is based on reporting by Novara Media, an independent left-wing news outlet known for investigative journalism on social and political issues, which spoke to Mr Bridge and aid workers in Calais.
Lachlan Macrae, from the Calais Food Collective, said: “Raise the Colours was previously endorsed by Keir Starmer. The reason why they’re coming out and doing this stuff is because they’re emboldened.”
Aid workers blame the Prime Minister’s anti-smuggling language for emboldening such activists.
Mr Macrae described a surge in far-right visitors harassing migrants, wearing stab-proof vests and live-streaming confrontations. He noted increased sabotage, including swastikas on water containers and soap poured into supplies to render them unusable.
Mr Macrae added: “There have always been far-right groups coming to Calais, but we’re seeing more and more as it has become a focal point in the media and politics.” Regarding the feasibility of the activist’s plans, Mr Macrae said: “The claims are preposterous.” He instead attributed pauses in crossings to weather, not vigilantes.
Calais serves as a key hub for migrants fleeing war or poverty, many embarking on perilous journeys from countries like Sudan. Mr Macrae argued: “If you have travelled from Sudan, the way you understand risk is different. People are not going to turn around because there is some angry white guy on the beach screaming at them.”
Mr Bridge, who has a history of football violence, including a three-year ban for brawling, likened the “buzz” of hooliganism to his activism but insisted it’s lawful.
He promised more flags across the UK this year and Mr Bridge vowed: “Legally and lawfully, we’re going to take the bull by the horns and Operation Overlord is going to come into play.”
