English Defence League members list stolen by hackers

A far Right anti Muslim group has had its membership list stolen by computer hackers. Members of a far-right organisation have been told to remain alert after hackers stole a database containing names and addresses from an online store.

The security breach began last weekend, when a clothing website linked to the organisation was accessed by hackers. The attackers, who claimed to be part of a group called the "Mujahideen Hacking Unit", obtained lists of those who had recently bought items from the site or donated money to the group.

The English Defence League have grown in prominence in the last year as a result of their high profile and often violent protest against Muslim communities in the UK. While they claim to not be a racist group the organisation has many links with the far Right British National Party with former members now actively organising EDL events.

The case has been referred to the police, but in a statement the EDL apologised to members concerned about their safety.

"We don't anticipate any problems as these types of data theft are usually committed to cause annoyance rather than having any other ulterior motive," the group said.

It is not the first time that controversial groups have been targeted by hackers online. Last summer, a number of EDL sites were hacked by pro-Palestinian protesters. In 2008, meanwhile, a membership list belonging to the British National Party was leaked online.

The far Right group courted controversy recently by attempting to invite a radical Pastor who backs burning the Islamic holy book the Qur’an, two members have also been subject to a travel ban this week over violent actions at EDL protests earlier this year.