Westgate Hall in Canterbury hosted the funeral of Holocaust denier Richard Williamson, sparking controversy.
Williamson died in Margate at 84 after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage on January 29. A councillor expressed disappointment about the funeral, as Williamson denied the Holocaust on TV in 2008.
Westgate Hall’s trust, which runs the venue, describes it as a “neutral venue” serving all community members. The trust acknowledged the concerns raised, emphasizing that the funeral event was legal.
Mostly men in black attended the funeral, with some wearing clerical clothing. Women and children were also present. Councillor Michael Dixey criticized the venue choice, expressing his contempt for deniers.
Williamson was Anglican, born in 1940, before converting to Catholicism in 1971. He later joined the Society of Saint Pius X, a group that protested Church modernization and disliked Mass in the vernacular.
Pope John Paul II excommunicated Williamson in 1988. However, Pope Benedict XVI reinstated him in 2009 to mend a rift with Catholics. The move backfired after a TV interview where Williamson denied the Holocaust.
Williamson disputed the Nazi death toll, claiming fewer Jews died in camps and denying any deaths in gas chambers. A German court ultimately convicted him of denial.
The Pope allegedly was unaware of Williamson’s views. Consequently, Williamson’s suspension continued, requiring him to retract his Holocaust denial. The Kent Jewish Society publicly criticized his opinions.
Denying the Holocaust hinders societal progress. Westgate Hall, originally a drill hall in 1913, saw troops depart for war and later served as a hospital during WWII, surviving bombings.
Canterbury Council gained ownership in 1968 and considered demolition in 2010 to create a car park. However, the council later permitted its use as a community center.
The Westgate Community Trust currently operates the venue under a 99-year lease, led by Clare Millett. All events held there must be legal, and this event adhered to that policy.
The trust understands the concerns people have expressed as Westgate Hall remains non-political, serving all community members neutrally, allowing people to hire the space.