Palace Warden's Double Life Exposed
A man who once worked as a warden at Buckingham Palace, guiding visitors through the royal residence's lavish state rooms, has been unmasked as a committed neo-Nazi operating within extremist circles. The revelation, uncovered by an ITV News investigation, has sent shockwaves through the establishment and raised urgent questions about security vetting procedures for staff with access to one of the world's most iconic buildings.
Matthew Gravill, a 26-year-old from Leicestershire, used the alias 'John' while collaborating with far-right groups, including Active Club England and Vanguard Britannica. His activities extended to attempting to forge an 'Anglo-American alliance of white supremacists,' illustrating the international scope of his ambitions.
Confrontation and Ideology
When confronted by a reporter, Gravill's initial reaction was one of stunned profanity. He later elaborated on his extremist beliefs, describing himself as an 'ethnocentrist.' He stated, 'I believe in supporting and advocating for the interests of my people, currently being driven to the verge of extinction.'
Gravill displayed a chilling awareness of the implications of his views being made public. 'I'm sure the Royal Family will be very displeased with my views,' he said. 'But that's because the Royal Family is not that interested in preserving native Europeans.' This direct criticism of the institution he once served highlights the depth of his ideological commitment.
His prominence within the movement was further evidenced by a photograph obtained by ITV, showing him this summer with a group of American far-right members, including the notorious neo-Nazi Robert Rundo. Heidi Beirich, of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, analysed the image, noting that Gravill's position in the snap indicated he was a figure of some significance within the white supremacist scene.
Institutional Response and Security Concerns
The exposure of a former employee with such extremist ties represents a significant embarrassment for the Royal Household. In a carefully worded statement, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said, 'The Royal Household takes all such matters extremely seriously.' However, they declined to comment on individual security issues, citing a policy designed not to compromise operational procedures.
The matter was referred to the Royal Collection Trust, the charity responsible for palace visitors and associated staff. A spokesperson for the Trust similarly refused to comment on security matters or individuals, leaving questions about the vetting process unanswered.
This case emerges against a backdrop of growing concern over the threat posed by neo-Nazi extremists in the UK. The past twelve months have seen a string of convictions. In a stark example, neo-Nazi terrorist Callum Parslow was jailed in October for stabbing an asylum seeker in the chest. The 31-year-old from Worcestershire was found guilty of attempted murder at Leicester Crown Court.
A particular challenge for authorities is that membership of groups like Active Clubs is not currently illegal in the UK, as they are not proscribed under terror law, unlike other neo-Nazi entities such as National Action. This legal grey area complicates efforts to combat this specific strand of extremism proactively.
