Get in close

THERE’S A PICTURE I never thought I’d see: the protest against BNP MEP Nick Griffin outside Parliament in June was uncomfortable not just for him, but even more so for veteran anti-fascist photographer Dave Hoffman, the one with the white hair, as the two appeared locked in unwilling embrace in the melee.

Dave Hoffman has targeted Nazis in his photography for decades, particularly back in the days when the main subject of their hatred was Jewish people, before they changed to Muslims.

“Get in close” is the old photographer’s adage. But not necessarily THAT close.

A couple of days earlier Dave Hoffman had been in the same area photographing an “Arrest the MPs” demonstration, a bit of fun at the expense — a carefully chosen word — of MPs caught out fiddling their allowance claims. Here he is, in blue shirt, having his own picture taken, by a copper — something the Met Police keep telling the union doesn’t happen.

He just can’t keep out of controversy, can’t Dave Hoffman.

The Journalist is published by the National Union of Journalists