A YouTuber who was fined £800 after filming a pug giving a Nazi salute says he’s standing in the European elections for Ukip.
Mark Meechan, 31, who styles himself as Count Dankula on the internet, says he will stand to represent Scotland in the EU if the UK takes part in May’s European Parliament election.
He was handed the fine for recording his girlfriend’s pet dog, Buddha, responding to statements such as “gas the Jews” and “Sieg Heil” by raising its paw.
He was found guilty of breaching the Communications Act by posting material that was “grossly offensive” and “anti-Semitic and racist in nature”, in an offence aggravated by religious prejudice, following a trial at Airdrie Sheriff Court in April last year.
He repeatedly refused to pay the fine but had the money seized from his bank account by court officials last month.
Meechan joined UKIP last year and has rubbed shoulders with former leader Nigel Farage and his successor Gerard Batten. He travelled to the European Parliament in September and spoke at a conference on threats to free speech on the internet.
Announcing his candidacy, Meechan, from Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, urged his followers on social media to donate to UKIP’s election fund.
He said: “Since Brexit is being betrayed, there is an extreme likelihood we will be taking part in the May European Elections. I will be a candidate.
“UKIP are crowdfunding the costs for the campaign, if you can help in any way you can, please do.”
In a message to his critics, he added: “You all seem so upset, the elections haven’t even started yet, save your anger.
“Hilarious thing, see if you guys just actually let me get a job, then none of this would be happening.”
Earlier this week, the government set May 23 as polling day for the elections if the UK has not left by the EU by that time.
Meechan’s video was viewed more than three million times on YouTube and sparked a debate over free speech, with comedians Ricky Gervais and David Baddiel defending him.
He raised more than £193,000 through a crowdfunding page to pay for legal fees to fund an appeal against his conviction and sentence.
His lawyers took the case to the Sheriff Appeal Court in Edinburgh but a panel of sheriffs refused to grant leave to appeal.
A later attempt to have the case referred to the Supreme Court was also rejected.
Meechan, who claimed the video was a joke and that he was exercising his right to freedom of speech, has said his legal team may now refer the case to the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission, who review potential miscarriages of justice.
Last month, the new BBC Scotland channel ditched plans to feature Meechan in a new show following an outcry over the decision to include him.
He had been filmed for two appearances on discussion panel programme The Collective.
Meechan has said that since his conviction he has been unable to find work and has been subjected to violent threats on the street.
