A neo-Nazi group has been informed by the Association of Electoral Commissioners (AEC) that it cannot register as a UK political party while it conceals the identities of its members.
The White Australia group, which has been designated as a banned hate group, disputes its classification and claims it does not want to reveal the identities of its members, citing concerns about potential harassment or 'doxxing'.
The AEC has stated that it cannot approve the group's application to register as a political party while it remains unclear who its members are.
The decision is the latest development in a long-standing effort to regulate far-right groups in the UK, which have been linked to numerous incidents of hate crime and extremism.
The Home Office has been working to disrupt and dismantle these groups, with the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, committing to strengthen the government's response to far-right extremism in the wake of recent incidents.
The opposition Labour Party has welcomed the AEC's decision, stating that it is 'right to take a stand against hate groups'.
The Liberal Democrats have also expressed support for the move, with a spokesperson saying that 'it is essential to protect the public from the harm caused by these groups'.