Going, Goering, gone! Bargain Hunt expert is blasted for selling Nazi memorabilia including a Swastika and a Third Reich banner
A BBC Bargain Hunt expert has been criticised for trading in Nazi memorabilia at his auction house.
Tim Weeks was urged to explain why items including a £2,000 Third Reich banner, a £300 swastika and a collection of badges were due to be sold at his Wessex Auction Rooms this Friday.
It comes amid a rise in far-Right extremism in Britain.
Former policeman Benjamin Hannam, 22, was jailed for four years and four months for being a member of banned group National Action in April.
Sam Armstrong, of counter-terrorism think-tank the Henry Jackson Society, warned of the dangers of selling such products.
He said: ‘We know that a prime market for these vile symbols are the far-Right thugs who wish to attack this country and those who live in it.’
Tim Weeks, who is a regular expert on BBC's Bargain Hunt, was urged to explain why items including a £2,000 Third Reich banner, a £300 swastika and a collection of badges were due to be sold at his Wessex Auction Rooms this Friday
A Third Reich banner valued at £2,000 Wessex Auctions Rooms in Chippenham, Wilts
A Nazi SS Party members badge valued at £60 Wessex Auctions Rooms in Chippenham, Wilts
The Board of Deputies of British Jews described the sale as ‘distressing, disturbing and hugely disrespectful’
The Board of Deputies of British Jews described the sale as ‘distressing, disturbing and hugely disrespectful’.
It is illegal to sell Nazi memorabilia in parts of Europe including Germany and Austria, but not in England.
Mr Weeks, who has been a regular on Bargain Hunt since 2016, withdrew the Nazi memorabilia from the auction after being contacted by the Daily Mail.
He said: ‘Upon learning that a number of Third Reich items are listed for auction I have contacted the head of our militaria department to withdraw them immediately from sale as we would never wish to cause any offence.
'We apologise if any has unintentionally been caused.’
The BBC declined to comment.
Tim Weeks also hosts his own weekly radio show on BBC Wiltshire and co-presented the first series of BBC One's Street Auction in 2016.
A 3.5m Third Reich building banner with Nazi Swastika valued at £300 Wessex Auctions Rooms
A Third Reich pennant with Swastika valed at £200 Wessex Auctions Rooms
A 3.5m Third Reich building banner with Nazi Swastika valued at £300 Wessex Auctions Rooms