Ukip rejects criticism over new ‘concerning’ logo likened to Nazi symbol
The UK Independence Party (Ukip) has denied claims that its planned new logo resembles a symbol used by the Nazis.
The far-right party, led by Nick Tenconi, has introduced a new logo to replace the existing yellow and purple pound emblem.
The new black and white logo, which must be approved by the Electoral Commission, features a shield and spear, as well as a slogan branding the party as the “new right”.
However, the cross in the logo has come under criticism from those who say it resembles the Iron Cross, which was used as a military medal in the Prussian kingdom and later by the Nazis.
The party denied that the symbol was the Iron Cross, insisting instead that it was the Cross Pattée, a Christian symbol.
The logo was described as “a bit alarming” on social media, with many people noting the similarities between the logo and the Nazi symbol.
Sunder Katwala, director of the British Future think tank, wrote on BlueSky: “Ukip has submitted a new logo and slogan to the Electoral Commission that replaces the £ sterling symbol with a cross, very similar to the Iron Cross model used by Prussia and Germany in 1871-1918 and Hitler’s Nazi regime in 1933-45.”
One person wrote on
“The Iron Cross is returning,” another wrote, while others called it “ominous.”
A Ukip spokesman denied the claim and said: “The Pattée of the Cross has been prominent throughout British history and has been used as the Victoria Cross, sits on our monarch’s crown and is also featured on the parliament logo. Are critics suggesting that the King, parliament and our war heroes are all Nazis?”
“To suggest that the Pattée of the Cross is a ‘Nazi symbol’ is downright offensive, ignorant and Christophobic. The Pattée of the Cross is displayed in Christian religious texts, and these efforts to slander us with vile claims are simply religious bigotry and discrimination.”
The logo has already been seen on flags at the party’s demonstrations, but it still needs to be approved for use by the Electoral Commission.
The party previously led by Nigel Farage is now led by Mr Tenconi.
In October last year, supporters of the party were due to gather in Tower Hamlets, London, but were banned from doing so by the Metropolitan Police due to what officers called “the realistic possibility of serious disorder” due to the large Muslim population in the area.
According to Ukip’s X profile, the demonstration was part of a series of events across the UK promoted as a “mass deportation tour”, with organizers urging participants to “take back Whitechapel from the Islamists”.
