A former soldier has defended sharing a picture from a right-wing organisation on a Royal British Legion Facebook account.

Graham Morris, 59, said sharing a picture from Britain First, that had slogans protesting against people being able to wear burkas at petrol stations, was not a political matter.

Britain First is a controversial organisation with the motto “taking our country back” and often campaigns against the presence of Islam in Britain.

Mr Morris, who works at the Greenhithe branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) in London Road, explained the picture was protesting against motorcyclists having to take off their helmets when buying fuel while people wearing burkas did not have to show their faces.

He said: “It was not a political thing, it’s about an issue regarding motorcyclists.

“If somebody in a burka came to me and said ‘I’m being persecuted’ and asked me to share a picture, I would” - Graham Morris

“Whether it comes from the National Front or the BNP, it’s not a political thing.”

Some people on Facebook objected. Pete Leverett posted: “Struggling to see why a branch of the Royal British Legion is sharing a page from a right-wing racist organisation formed by members of the BNP?”

Helga Tyler posted: “A Royal British branch who shares such comments and pictures needs to be removed from Facebook.”

Some people supported the post. David Thomson said: “Ha ha nice one, I’m not allowed to wear a balaclava in the winter coz it hides my face but its ok for them.”

Mr Morris, who served in the Royal Artillery regiment, is also a member of the Royal British Legion Riders, a group of motorcyclists who often take part in Remembrance parades and fund raise for the RBL.

He disagreed that sharing the picture would look like the RBL was endorsing the views of Britain First.

He said:“Personally I don’t see a problem and if others do then they’ve got the bigger problem.

“We’ve got all sorts of people coming into our social circle and we don’t have a problem with that at all.

“They can believe in whatever religion they like.

“If somebody in a burka came to me and said ‘I’m being persecuted’ and asked me to share a picture, I would.”

A spokesman from the RBL said: “The Royal British Legion is entirely non-political, non-partisan and non-sectarian.

“The sharing of this post is not reflective of the charity’s values found on the official social media channels: Facebook.com/OfficialPoppyLegion and @PoppyLegion.”

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