Racist violence and bullying will rise after Donald Trump's victory, an anti-racism organisation warned after British far-right groups welcomed his ascendancy to the White House.
Britain First, the English Defence League (EDL) and the British National Party (BNP) all backed the election of the controversial tycoon to become president of the United States.
It came as Hope Not Hate warned that far-right groups are becoming “bolder and more aggressive” as their ideas are “adopted into the political mainstream”.
In a bitter and divisive campaign, Mr Trump attracted widespread criticism for calling for Muslims to be banned from entering the US, and for planning to build a wall to keep illegal Mexican migrants out.
“When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best,” Mr Trump has said. “They're sending people that have lots of problems. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists.”
On Facebook, the EDL posted a photograph of a man with olive skin and a beard crying, bearing the slogan: “Muslims all across America today” and congratulating Mr Trump. The EDL added: “Now make America great again!! Here's to all you PATRIOTS!!”
In another post, a mocked-up photo depicted Mr Trump building a wall.
Also on Facebook, Britain First said of Mr Trump's defeated rival Hillary Clinton: “ON YOUR BIKE YOU CORRUPT OLD WITCH”, and in another post declared “WE ARE ALL DEPLORABLES TODAY!”.
It was among many groups quoting French far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen, adding the “elite world is falling”.
In a tweet, the BNP declared that Mr Trump's win “means Britain has a friend in the White House”.
Hope Not Hate chief executive Nick Lowles said “we are living in deeply worrying times”.
In a blog post, he went on: “Trump's victory, following so soon after our own Brexit vote which unleashed a wave of racism and intolerance, is encouraging the far-right to be bolder and more aggressive.
“We are likely to see a further increase in racist violence and bullying as the haters feel more confident and legitimised.
“We are also likely to see growing support for far-right parties across Europe and with forthcoming elections in Austria, France, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands - to list just a few - we could also see far-right parties/politicians increase their representation and even enter government.
“More worryingly, has been the adoption of far-right ideas into the political mainstream, so that even if the parties fail to win power their ideas will.”
He called on anti-racist campaigners to take action to bring communities together while understanding people's concerns about immigration and multiculturalism.
PA
