Cornish Councillor’s Holocaust Denial at Far-Right Rally Exposes Ugly Antisemitism

A Mylor Parish Councillor’s brazen antisemitic remarks at a far-right gathering in Truro, Cornwall, have kicked up a huge storm of criticism after video footage captured him denying the Holocaust and defending Adolf Hitler. Peter Lawrence, representing the British Democrats, made the inflammatory comments during the “Great British Strike” event yesterday (Saturday), prompting a fierce counter-demonstration by the activist group Cornwall Resists.

In the video, filmed on Lemon Quay, Lawrence is seen responding to a question about whether antisemitism exists with a curt “technically, no.” He went on to claim that “World Jewry declared war on Germany” during World War II, alleging Jewish-led economic sabotage and starvation tactics against Germans.

“Hitler didn’t have a beef with the Jews,” Lawrence asserted, adding that he could not find evidence of Hitler ordering the execution of Jews and that “the Holocaust has been massively over-exaggerated.” The comments, caught on video by Cornwall Resists, have gone viral on social media, getting a lot of flak for denying the Holocaust and pushing antisemitic stereotypes.

Lawrence, who joined Mylor Parish Council unopposed earlier this year, made the comments amid chants of “Reform UK” from the crowd, though he represents the British Democrats. The Great British Strike, a national protest event, saw far-right supporters draped in Union Jacks but lacking placards, leaflets, or speeches, rendering their presence vague to passersby. In contrast, Cornwall Resists staged an unannounced counter-demonstration, engaging with local shoppers and outlasting the far-right group in a hours-long standoff.

Cornwall Resists condemned Lawrence’s remarks as emblematic of broader far-right extremism. A spokesperson stated, “This is the true face of Reform supporters: ugly, dangerous, racist hatred. No one in the crowd challenged Lawrence’s antisemitism, which was particularly sickening for our Jewish members. This is fascism on our streets, co-opting working-class solidarity for a vile agenda.” The group’s presence was credited with disrupting the far-right event and raising awareness among Truro residents.

Lawrence’s history of controversial views surfaced last year when he ran as an independent candidate for Truro and Falmouth in the 2024 General Election, narrowly missing 1% of the vote.

In posts following his defeat, he warned of a “communist melting pot” and a “Balkanised multi-ethnic” future, railing against immigration and cultural diversity. In June 2024, a constituent’s letter accused him of xenophobia and intolerance, to which he responded by defending his nationalist stance as non-racist while advocating for strict immigration controls.