Malta resident denies mentoring Norwegian killer
Paul Ray
Paul Ray, the originator of the English Defence League, who now lives in Malta, has denied he is the man who mentored Norwegian killer Anders Breivik.
In his 1,500-page manifesto, Breivik says his mentor was Richard (the Lionhearted)".
Although Mr Ray (real name Paul Sonato) is known as Richard the Lionheart, he has said on his blog:
"It has been implied several places that due to the fact I use the name Lionheart on this blog and my anti-Islamic fundamentalism ideology is similar, not the same, as Anders Breivik that Richard could mean Richard the Lionheart, thus Lionheart could mean me.
"I might be a Christian fundamentalist who has a deep dislike for Islamic fundamentalism who looks to Templarism as an example, but anyone who knows me knows that I personally would play no part in such inhumane savagery that has no place in the civilised world.
"I've been perplexed about this all day due to how serious the nature of being linked to a political mass murderer is (it's no small thing), and now the penny has finally dropped on who the most likely person is, who 'Richard' the English mentor of Anders Breivik is.
"EDL's financier and political controller Alan Lake."
EDL leader Stephen Lennon, leader of the English Defense League, told The Associated Press yesterday that he does not condone Breivik's rampage but "the fact that so many people are scared - people have to listen to that."
Lennon also claimed that "Richard (the Lionhearted)" was Mr Ray, who was kicked out of the group a few years ago.
Mr Ray fled England almost two years ago after being arrested for stirring racial hatred and settled in Malta.
In Malta he leads an anti-Muslim group called The Ancient Order of the Templar Knights.
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Joseph Vassallo
Jul 29th 2011, 19:46
So, am I getting this right? .... According to you bloggers, this man is not entitled to have an opinion because if he voices concern against fundamentalism, he is considered a terrorist? Hmmm! I don't know if I can agree with that.
The Knights Templars were also fundamentalist several centuries ago; what is everybody's take on that one? Were their missions into the Muslim world okay by you?
I note that it is mentioned on this page that Mr Ray (or Sonato... whatever) was arrested in UK; but I don't think I have read anywhere that he was convicted of anything... as yet anyway!
Has this Norwegian chap actually met Mr Paul Ray or has he been reading blogs by him as seems to be implied by the article? If I read (for example) Muammar Gaddafi's Greeen Book, does that make me his disciple and him my mentor? What if I were to opine that Gaddafi should be allowed to continue ruling Libya?
Paul Ray is not exactly a household name either in UK (I never heard of him there even though I lived in Hetts/Beds/Bucks for many years) or in Malta because this is the first I've ever heard of him; so how come all you bloggers know so much about him? Is this by any chance the Facebook Intelligentsia talking?
I wonder how many actually know anything first-hand about either Paul Ray or about Ander Breivic.
Just for the heck of it I just Googled "Lionheart blog" and it seems that Al Qaeda (or at least Bilal Ahmad) has more than a passing interest in this chap, so much so that Muslims have been told, "if you see him you know what to do".
Isn't this the mentality being advocated here also on this very page? Is everybody well-enough informed to pass judgement?
John Spiteri
Jul 28th 2011, 18:12
This is exactly why everyone should consider what one says or writes! The power of words are incredible, especially on susceptible minds. Words uttered by certain people were the cause of a lot of bloodshed throughout human history.
I am sure that nobody is comfortable with the huge influx of migrants into Europe however, we must get our priorities in order.
Human life is sacrosanct, and this does not distinguish between colour, race or creed.
The most preoccupying thing, is the fact that these people claim to be Christians. Christianity stands for Love and tolerance,, and this in practice.
These people cannot claim to be Christians, but simply evil monsters who try to manipulate feeble minds with their own interpretation of the Christian faith.
.
James Wightman
Jul 28th 2011, 06:48
ELD is that in exile or just retired to somewhere warmer? Isn't there a conflict somewhere there?
Charles Micallef
Jul 28th 2011, 03:54
I lived in UK for 22 years and the English Defence League have no bounds as what colour of one's skin is, if you are a foreigner you do not fit in within their circles, but it seems ok if they live in somebody else's country and to use a popular phrase which is often used by them in their own country as "a bloody foreigner"!
I had to live with it, heard it many times, been called and digested it for a long number of years!
So what is now doing living in this bloody foreigner's country?
James Dewar
Jul 28th 2011, 02:36
Are the relevant authorities investigating? If not, why ?
Charles Podesta
Jul 27th 2011, 19:24
Its a SHAME that our country has transformed into a haven for such ignorant people. It makes it harder and harder for the world to be one place. The biggest SHAME is that a 'man' of sorts would choose our tiny island out of any place in the world to escape and settle here and who after all must feel rather at home. Also since it has now been brought to light in this article, the anti-Muslim group called The Ancient Order of the Templar Knights, would that be looked into and put to a halt by the proper authorities rather than advertising it?
SHAME SHAME SHAME
Ms D Galea
Jul 27th 2011, 21:53
Would you deport a man who , on local tv on SEVERAL occasions, promoted the cutting of hands of thieves and the death penalty for" criminals" like gays and adulterers?
Mr M Briffa Viva malta
Jul 27th 2011, 19:21
Welcome to Malta, where anything and everything is possible.
Tony Cinato
Jul 27th 2011, 17:59
I think he should be deported, Malta is no place for Paul Cinato
Mr Tony Gatt
Jul 27th 2011, 20:06
Deported-where to?
Mr Tony Gatt
Jul 27th 2011, 17:41
English Defence League!! He should get on well with all the xenophobes in Malta!
Ms pamela hansen
Jul 27th 2011, 17:39
Great. That's all we need here somone who fled the UK afte being arrested for stirring up racial hatred.
Mr Graham Holme
Jul 28th 2011, 16:18
All Paul is guilty? of in the UK exposing radical Islam in Britain.For reasons known only to themselves,the powers that be,in what was once Great Britain,class this as "Stirring up racial hatred"
Mr C Cassar
Jul 27th 2011, 17:35
There are many unsavoury characters in Malta particularly from teh UK. Those that are wanted by the police, government for all sorts of reasons such as criminal offences, tax evasion (particularly) and other peitit (but still relevant) crimes.
It is still a bolt hole for these people and Malta needs to turn on the spotlights to highlight to their country of naltionality that they are here.
Time for a round up.
Andrew Borg-Cardona
Jul 27th 2011, 17:27
What fun, Anglo-Saxon bigots in our midst, too. As if we didn't have enough local ones.
Mr Graham Holme
Jul 28th 2011, 16:22
This Anglo-Saxon bigot,who you refer to Mr Cardona,has just spent time in the Congo,giving aid working with the under privileged children
JOE ZAHRA
Jul 27th 2011, 17:13
Why is this kind of person allowed to live in Malta . when as an out spoken trade union officer in England in the 80,s, these people done every thing possible to distroy me because I come from Malta.
Ms Agnes Bezzina
Jul 27th 2011, 16:59
Do we seriously have such a person living in Malta?!?! As though we do not have enough racial hatred as it is ... all we need is a mentor!! Oh my!
John Spiteri
Jul 27th 2011, 16:53
This is exactly why everyone should consider what one says or writes! The power of words are incredible, especially on susceptible minds. Words uttered by certain people were the cause of a lot of bloodshed throughout human history.
I am sure that nobody is comfortable with the huge influx of migrants into Europe however, we must get our priorities in order.
Human life is sacrosanct, and this does not distinguish between colour, race or creed.
The most preoccupying thing, is the fact that these people claim to be Christians. Christianity stands for Love and tolerance,, and this in practice.
These people cannot claim to be Christians, but simply evil monsters who try to manipulate feeble minds with their own interpretation of the Christian faith.
.
M Schembri
Jul 27th 2011, 16:50
In Malta he leads an anti-Muslim group called The Ancient Order of the Templar Knights - Aren't these sort of groups illegal in Malta? The police go on witch hunts - like taking to court a young editor of an on campus news letter, and don't bother about the leader of a racist group, who fled England after being arrested for stirring racial hatred. Tajba din! Will we have another press conference today?
Mr Graham Holme
Jul 27th 2011, 17:11
Islam is a religion,not a race.Paul Ray,like many others in Europe,can see the grave threat Islam,Muslims are posing,to their countries
Like I stated,Islam is a religion not a race,comprising people from all countries world wide,all colors,black white,yellow etc,how can one be classed as racist to oppose a religion?
Isola Danti
Jul 27th 2011, 20:06
Mr Graham Holme, evidently this person is not just opposing a religion - to do that he could have simply stayed in his study at home writing articles. According to the news 'Mr Ray fled England almost two years ago after being arrested for stirring racial hatred and settled in Malta'. Now the police and media should dig deep into this person and his organization to see if he is conducting the same illegal activities here in Malta. It is a matter of national security. What happened in the once peaceful Norway is a warning to every nation in Europe.
Ms D Galea
Jul 27th 2011, 21:50
@ Mr Holme;
some people mistakenly assume that all blacks and Arabs are Muslim whilst all muslims are black or Arab.
Mr Graham Holme
Jul 28th 2011, 10:12
Isola Danti
Suggest you do your research,check Pauls blogs under Lionheart.He exposed radical Islam in the U.K.,backed up by newspaper articles,video footage.To speak out against radical Islam in Britain,one is classed as "Spreading racial hatred"
Britains so called leaders,pander to Islam,they can march with their vile messages of hate,abuse our soldiers,burn our symbol the poppy,burn our flag in public,with impunity,with a police protection,but for the man woman in the street to do,say anything that may offend Islam(seems like everything to do with the western way of life offends them) then one is facing a custodial sentence
Example,Male in the UK today found guilty of placing bacon outside a Mosque,the judge in all his wisdom has denied bail,kept the man in custody till the court hearing in September,saying he is a grave danger to the public at large
The lunatics well and truly running the asylum
Christina Pace
Jul 27th 2011, 16:23
@ Stephen Koludrovic. I know from personal experience, having managed my colleagues' paperwork, that even EU citizens need to apply for work permits and residence permit if they plan to take up permanent residence here.
Having said that people overstay their permit here all the time. last I was at the directorate with a colleague getting his residence permit sorted there was a woman who'd been in Malta for the past 5 years overstaying her residence permit/visa (it was unclear). Obviously working illegally all this time as the work permit becomes invalid after 3 months unless the visa is obtained.
That is how people like them are allowed to stay. We can't refuse entry and we never follow up to see them go.
James Dewar
Jul 27th 2011, 16:01
@ Stephen Koludrovic
The Norwegian maniac was also an EU citizen and in his own country.
How many must die before the true extent of an individual's racial hatred is exposed and the law comes into play?
Holding anti immigration views may not make a person racist but depending upon the extent of these views may make them worthy of special attention and security monitoring.
Christian Abela
Jul 27th 2011, 16:35
Nicely said mate
Mr Wally Vella-Zarb
Jul 27th 2011, 16:43
"The Norwegian maniac was also an EU citizen and in his own country."
Since when is Norway a member of the EU?
Stephen Koludrovic
Jul 27th 2011, 16:44
@ James Dewar,
Never knew that Norway was in the EU, I think that they like the Swis opted out.
Mr Tony Gatt
Jul 27th 2011, 17:45
Norway very sensibly has stayed out of the E.U.
Mr Ernest Vella
Jul 27th 2011, 15:43
Mela jekk jinsab f'Malta ghax ma jarrestawhx...Ma jistax grupp li jmexxi ideologiji razzisti jithalla jghix f'pajjizna.
A Cordina
Jul 28th 2011, 06:13
...kieku kulhadd ghal gewwa!
James Dewar
Jul 27th 2011, 15:34
Considerably more of an explanation seems to be required from this man before anyone starts to discount the allegation. Presumably Malta Police and Security Officials have him on their radar and are aware of his activities given his background and stated views? Seems a massive coincidence if he is not one and the same so hence the need for an explanation and concrete proof from him. Does he reside in or frequent the Dingli area by any chance?
Mr John Micallef
Jul 27th 2011, 15:30
All fundamentalists are the same, Christian, Islamist or whatever fancy beleif you may care to have. Just like all political extremes, whether left or right.
Once you go past the line of reason, then it's blood, no grey matter.
Stephen Koludrovic
Jul 27th 2011, 16:30
In agreement with you.
Mr Max Xuereb
Jul 27th 2011, 15:24
Mr Ray, just so we are clear on this being a Christian and being a racist counter act each other. If i was given a choice of all the immigrants to leave or just you... i would ask you to go pack your bags.
Joseph J. Borg
Jul 27th 2011, 16:06
Well said. I agree.
simon camilleri
Jul 27th 2011, 16:09
like !
Anthony Grech
Jul 27th 2011, 15:13
How is it that a person such as this is allowed to reside in Malta?
Mr R ferriggi
Jul 27th 2011, 15:39
in malta anything goes mate.
we have all sorts hidden amongst us,,, it would scare us to know.
the impression is that we are the harbour, safe haven for all sorts.
Stephen Koludrovic
Jul 27th 2011, 15:41
He is an EU citizen, the same as you and I, and so is allowed to stay.
However should he preach racial hatred, then there is the law to take care of that.
Another point to note, just because someone is anti immirgration does not make that person a racist.
James Dewar
Jul 27th 2011, 15:44
Anthony, The 902 questions and comments so far regarding the Arriva fiasco pale into insignificance compared to the one question you pose here. Urgent answers and action are now required as, whilst the Arriva chaos is a massive National inconvenience, this man's presence on the Island rates as a massive National security risk.
S. Briffa
Jul 27th 2011, 16:32
My thought exactly Anthony Grech...this person fled England and we accept this kind of hatred on our Island...he is leading an anti-Islam group so what does that make him a "Templar", he must be dreaming or having nightmares while awake!!!
Oh no these people have something missing and we as Maltese shouldnt give example that spreading hate is allowed on this island, he was arrested in UK so time to do the same here!!!!
Mr Tony Gatt
Jul 27th 2011, 17:47
Just read all the xenophobic rants and you'll see there are plenty.
Please choose the reason of your report below: