Nicky Crane: The secret double life of a gay neo-Nazi

[cronus]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25142557

Nicky Crane: The secret double life of a gay neo-Nazi

He was the British extreme right's most feared streetfighter. But almost right up to his death 20 years ago, Nicky Crane led a precarious dual existence - until it fell dramatically apart.

The skinhead gang marched in military formation down the High Street clutching iron bars, knives, staves, pick-axe handles and clubs.

There were at least 100 of them. They had spent two days planning their attack. The date was 28 March 1980.

Soon they reached their target - a queue of mostly black film-goers outside the Odeon cinema in Woolwich, south-east London.

Then the skinheads charged.

Most of them belonged to an extreme far-right group called the British Movement (BM).

This particular "unit" had already acquired a reputation for brutal racist violence thanks to its charismatic young local organiser. Many victims had learned to fear the sight of his 6ft 2in frame, which was covered in Nazi tattoos. His name was Nicky Crane.

But as he led the ambush, Crane was concealing a secret from his enemies and his fascist comrades alike. Crane knew he was gay, but hadn't acted on it. Not yet.

(continued)

[JimC]

It's the leather, guv, innit...

[klr]

It's the leather, guv, innit...

There are probably some clubs on the Reeperbahn where his odd combination of fetishes would go unnoticed ...

[Calilasseia]

It's the leather, guv, innit...

There are probably some clubs on the Reeperbahn where his odd combination of fetishes would go unnoticed ...

He should have got in touch with Max Mosley. Allegedly ...

[cronus]

There's a lot of homophobia within the black community apparently.

[Bella Fortuna]

It's the leather, guv, innit...

There are probably some clubs on the Reeperbahn where his odd combination of fetishes would go unnoticed ...

Shades of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Leather_Boys

[Calilasseia]

Interesting to note that discovering his sexuality led him to abandon fascist politics.