A translated copy of Brenton Tarrant’s
manifesto next to a gun, in an image posted on
a Ukrainian-language Telegram channel
(Telegram)He and other experts do not see Christchurch as the sole inspiration for the attacks that followed, but more
of a trigger for extremists who were already on the journey towards terror.
Professor Matthew Feldman, director of the Centre for Analysis of the Radical Right, said: “In these times
of heightened political crises where people feel like their country is on a cliff, you get those who are pushed
over by that rhetoric. That has implications has for Brexit in October and for the 2020 presidential
elections.”
Professor Feldman said Christchurch “copycats” had adopted aspects of Tarrant’s methods and ideology but
adapted it according to the focus of their own hatred. “We are seeing definite copycats, people who are
being inspired by this,” he added. “Without any kind of hierarchically controlled organisation, there is no
command and control, which is the fundamental difference with the radical right and jihadism. That’s why
you can’t copy and paste responses to jihadi Islamism.”
Britain, the US, Australia and many European countries have previously seen far-right extremism as
“domestic” terrorism and focused resources on combatting international jihadi groups. But the increasingly
international nature of the extreme right-wing is drawing greater attention in the wake of the Christchurch
attack.
An FBI briefing to the House Homeland Security Committee in May warned that “individuals adhering to
racially motivated violent extremism ideology have been responsible for the most lethal incidents”.
“Radicalisation to violence of domestic terrorists is increasingly taking place online,” said assistant
counterterrorism division director Michael C McGarrity. “The increasingly global nature of the threat has
enabled violent extremists to engage other like-minded individuals without having to join organised
groups.”
British security services are clear that Isis still poses the greatest threat to the UK, but have incorporated