Far-Right Activist Stopped by Anti-Terror Police at Edinburgh Airport
A prominent far-right YouTuber and Restore Britain activist, Craig Houston, was intercepted by counter-terrorism police at Edinburgh Airport on Friday, in a move that underscores the growing security threat posed by extremist anti-immigration agitators on British soil.
Houston, 53, had his mobile phone and computer seized by officers acting under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000. The authorities are now investigating his recent communications and potential links to terrorist groups operating in Scotland and across the United Kingdom. This comes after Houston broadcast a series of videos depicting what many see as hateful anti-immigration propaganda, including footage of sinister fascist-style gatherings in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
What happened at Edinburgh Airport?
Houston was stopped as he returned from a holiday in Greece. Despite being on break, he continued to release material that critics say is deliberately designed to sow division and inflame tensions. The Daily Record reported that officers were intent on seizing his devices to establish who he has been communicating with in recent days, weeks, and months. He was not arrested or charged, but the powers used were directly related to suspected terrorism offences.
A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed: “On Friday, July 10, a 53-year-old man was stopped using powers under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 at Edinburgh Airport. He was interviewed and digital devices were seized for further examination. Enquiries are ongoing.”
Who is Craig Houston?
Houston, from Glasgow, has become one of Scotland’s most prolific producers of anti-immigration material. His content has been reshared by far-right figures including Tommy Robinson. After a disastrous showing in the Scottish elections, where he stood as an independent, he switched his allegiance to Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain party. His main obsessions are immigration and the so-called “two-tier policing” narrative, a common theme among far-right groups across the UK.
His closest associate, Sandy Chugg, a former Rangers football casual with a criminal record for street violence and drug offences, has admitted to participating in the events Houston promotes.
What do the gatherings involve?
Recent reports have revealed groups of up to 60 men gathering in Edinburgh and Glasgow for “silent protests,” wearing black clothing believed to be a direct reference to the fascist blackshirts of Oswald Mosley from the 1930s. Another gathering referenced the murder of white teenager Kriss Donald by a gang of Asian descent in Glasgow 22 years ago. Shockingly, one video appeared to include children, their faces lit by eerie candles. Houston has claimed he had nothing to do with organising these events, though he shared the footage.
Why was Schedule 7 used?
Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 gives police unique powers to stop, question, search, and detain individuals at UK borders, even without grounds for suspicion. The powers are reserved for nationally accredited officers and must not be used arbitrarily. They are informed by the threat from terrorism to the United Kingdom and its interests, posed by various groups, networks, and individuals active both inside and outside the country.
This incident is a stark reminder that the battle against extremism is not confined to foreign shores. It is happening on our own doorstep, in our airports, and on our streets. The British public expects the authorities to remain vigilant and robust in defending our way of life against those who would undermine it.