Steve Walsh – Neil Wilby Media

‘Vigilante’ patrol returns to Manchester streets

The controversial Failsworth Street Patrol (FSP) is back. Founded around two years ago and run by local man, Paul Wadsworth, FSP purports to keep the streets of the North East Manchester suburb safe by sending out unvetted men in hoods and balaclavas in the early hours of the morning. Amongst these patrollers are said toContinue reading “‘Vigilante’ patrol returns to Manchester streets”

Journalism is not a popularity contest – but this abuse is absolutely off the scale

As an investigative journalist, an essential requirement is to develop a thick skin and the ability shrug off both criticism and resistance to what is being probed, writes Neil Wilby. Particularly, from subjects of those enquiries and their circle of friends and associates who may feel threatened by what may, potentially, be exposed. This can,Continue reading “Journalism is not a popularity contest – but this abuse is absolutely off the scale”

Controversial ‘vigilante group’ set for Town Hall showdown

One of the hottest current topics, in a notoriously racist town north east of Manchester, is a neighbourhood group described in the city’s evening newspaper as ‘vigilantes’. (read more here). Failsworth Street Patrol (FSP), founded around eighteen months ago and run by local man, Paul Wadsworth, purports to keep the streets safe by sending outContinue reading “Controversial ‘vigilante group’ set for Town Hall showdown”

When deceit is your stock in trade

Much has been written elsewhere on this website about, very arguably, the most notorious hyperlocal political party in the country. It is a rare week, indeed, when the Failsworth Independent Party (FIP) is not embroiled in one scandal or another. Mostly brought about by the deceit and subterfuge that threads through just about everything theyContinue reading “When deceit is your stock in trade”

Poisoning the debate

This article is heavily underpinned by extracts taken from HOPEnothate’s 2022 State of Hate report headlined ‘On The March Again‘. Full credit is given to them. The 140 page document can be accessed in full here. In the chapter headed ‘Hyperlocal Politics: New channels’ (page 84) the Failsworth Independent Party (FIP) and susceptibility to farContinue reading “Poisoning the debate”