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Terrorist organizations

Orange Lodge Official Embroiled in Controversy Over Social Media Posts

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A senior official with the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland has faced backlash after posting images and messages endorsing a terrorist group and promoting anti-immigration sentiments on social media. Keir Williams, the depute master of the recently formed Dunnottar Martyrs Memorial Loyal Orange Lodge, shared images and messages that glorified the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and promoted hatred towards immigrants.

Key Takeaways:

  • Keir Williams, 34, a depute master of the Dunnottar Martyrs Memorial Loyal Orange Lodge, shared images and messages on social media that endorsed the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), a proscribed terrorist group in the UK.
  • The images included a hooded gunman tattoo and a computer-generated image of a bearded Muslim man threatening a white child with a knife to promote an anti-immigration protest.
  • Williams also shared images of himself marching and carrying barriers in orange processions in Belfast and in other communities in central Scotland.
  • The Grand Orange Lodge has launched an investigation into the matter, and its grand master, Andrew Murray, has claimed that the organisation has sought dialogue with other faiths and cultural groups.
  • Williams has a history of convictions, including assaulting a pregnant partner, for which he was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work in 2019.
  • Maggie Chapman, the Green MSP for northeast Scotland, has called for Williams to be removed from his position and for the Orange Lodge to publicly condemn his views.

Statistics:

  • Over 500 people were murdered by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) in Northern Ireland and beyond.
  • 2 years ago, Williams posted images on social media that showed his support for the UVF.
  • 150 hours of unpaid work were ordered for Williams after his conviction of assaulting his pregnant partner.
  • In 2020, the Orange Lodge cancelling a proposed march in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, after being deemed a threat to public safety.

Sources:

  • The Herald (2023)
  • BBC News (2023)
  • The National (2023)
  • The Courier (2023)

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