Death threats sent to wrong target

Julie Keller

A HOLLINWOOD PACT co-optee said she has received death threats after being falsely accused of being a member of an anti-fascist organisation.

Julie Keller, from Pine Tree Road, Limeside, said she received almost 100 hate e-mails and anonymous phone calls after appearing on a radio programme to discuss the English Defence League (EDL) protest in Manchester City Centre.

Mrs Keller said she is not and has never been part of the Unite Against Fascism (UAF) group which held a counter-protest on the same day.

However, she said she is being plagued by calls from people who believe she is.

Mrs Keller said: “I was in Manchester on Saturday but I’ve got no allegiance to any organisation — I’ve never been a member of the UAF or EDL.

“During the protest, a UAF member started using a tannoy during a two-minute silence for the troops, and I think people think that was me.

“But I wasn’t even there — I was in a cafe at the time.

“I have a regular spot on Radio 5 Live and both myself and Tommy Robinson, from the EDL, were speaking about the protest.

“He originally thought I was a UAF member and asked why I had organised the protest, but he now accepts it was not me and has tried to help me sort it out.”

The issue was also featured on the Sky News website and Mrs Keller has so far received 96 e-mails to her personal address and has been fending off phone calls, which began on Sunday.

She said the matter is distressing for her and her family.

She said: “A lot of the callers hang up, some shout abuse and others engage in conversation.

“My family are devastated. They hear the calls coming in and see the e-mails, it’s very upsetting.

“My brother is an ex-Queen’s Fusilier who served in the first Gulf War and I have stood up for the troops before, but now I’m being falsely accused of shouting out during the silence.

“I won’t be changing e-mail address or phone number, but the police have been informed.”

EDL spokesman Mr Robinson said: “I don’t know where her name has been grabbed from. From our point of view, it wasn’t her.

“Word got out that she was a UAF member but she has clarified that she is not. It is not a matter that people should take into their own hands.”

A Facebook group called Julie Keller UAF Scum has also been set up containing her photo and e-mail address, which she is trying to get removed from the social-networking site.