Community

Lucy Brown’s memoir promises to expose free speech activism’s internal chaos

Tuesday, 20 May 2025 12:47AM UTC

Lucy Brown, partner of art dealer Sascha Bailey, is set to publish Hate Club, a revealing memoir chronicling the turmoil and controversies within the free speech movement and her shifting views on its extremes.

Lucy Brown, the girlfriend of art dealer Sascha Bailey, son of the iconic photographer David Bailey, is poised to release a memoir that promises to rattle cages within the realm of free speech activism. Titled Hate Club, the book aims to provide readers with a raw and unfiltered account of her experiences alongside some of the most controversial figures in the movement, such as Tommy Robinson, Milo Yiannopoulos, and Lauren Southern. Brown's forthcoming memoir seeks to detail the chaos and internal conflicts she witnessed while involved in this controversial sphere.

In an interview, Brown made it clear that she anticipates her tale will ignite strong reactions, stating, “I’m writing a book... that will probably p*** everyone off – which is what I’m hoping it will do.” This sentiment reflects her complex relationship with the free speech movement, which she claims has been mired in narcissism and dysfunction. Reflecting on her time organising the 2018 Day for Freedom event in London—a notable moment intended to celebrate free speech and punk culture—she acknowledges its disarray, asserting that the attempt “blew up” in their faces. Brown plans to enrich her narrative with never-before-seen footage from that day, pulling back the curtain on a significant—and controversial—moment in her life.

Now pregnant with her first child, Brown’s perspective on the ideals she once championed has notably shifted. She expressed her disillusionment with the idea of free speech absolutism, declaring it “a stupid concept that flits and changes depending on whether you like the person.” This evolution of thought may stem from reflecting on tragic events, including the murder of MP David Amess, and raises questions about the social responsibilities tied to freedom of expression.

The individuals with whom she once aligned are not without their own controversies. Robinson, a figure who has polarised public opinion, was sentenced to 18 months in jail for contempt of court last year. Similarly, Yiannopoulos, a self-proclaimed provocateur and former editor of Breitbart, has had a turbulent history with alt-right politics, marked by scandals and abrupt exits from various platforms. Both figures offer a glimpse into the chaotic world that Brown critiques.

The memoir’s working title itself, Hate Club, embodies a provocative flair that seems intentional. In light of Brown’s comments regarding her former associates, the memoir may explore deeper themes of conflict, identity, and the often-volatile nature of public discourse surrounding free speech in contemporary society. This has particular resonance in a world increasingly focused on the consequences of unchecked rhetoric.

Brown's choice to self-publish is a strategic move, indicating a desire to maintain autonomy over her narrative and to share her experiences unfettered by the constraints often encountered with traditional publishing. As she prepares to unveil her story, the cultural zeitgeist may watch closely, given the current climate of free speech debates and rising concerns over hate speech and personal accountability.

As one of the many figures navigating the tumultuous landscape of activism, Lucy Brown's memoir could reflect not just her personal grievances but also the larger struggles of a movement grappling with its identity in a divided society. As she gears up to share her story, it's clear that Hate Club may become a critical lens through which to examine the complexities and contradictions in the quest for free expression.

Reference Map

1: Paragraph 1
2: Paragraph 2
2: Paragraph 3
3/5/6: Paragraph 4
4/7: Paragraph 5
2: Paragraph 6

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-14729439/Richard-Eden-David-Bailey-son-girlfriend-memoir.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-14729439/Richard-Eden-David-Bailey-son-girlfriend-memoir.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 - Lucy Brown, the girlfriend of art dealer Sascha Bailey, son of renowned photographer David Bailey, is set to publish a memoir titled 'Hate Club.' The book aims to provide an unfiltered account of her experiences in free speech activism, including her work with figures like Tommy Robinson, Milo Yiannopoulos, Lauren Southern, Gavin McInnes, Sargon of Akkad, and Count Dankula. Brown criticizes the behavior of these individuals, describing them as narcissistic and chaotic. She also reflects on her role in organizing the 2018 Day for Freedom event in London, which she recalls as a failed attempt to promote free speech and punk culture. Now pregnant with her first child with Sascha, Brown expresses a changed perspective on the cause she once championed, stating her opposition to absolute free speech and highlighting the dangers of certain expressions in light of events like the murder of MP David Amess. Choosing to self-publish, Brown aims to share her story without the influence of traditional publishers.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gavin_McInnes - Gavin McInnes is a Canadian writer, podcaster, and far-right commentator, best known as the co-founder of Vice magazine and the founder of the Proud Boys, a far-right militant organization. Born in 1970 in England, McInnes emigrated to Canada as a child. He co-founded Vice in 1996 and later established the Proud Boys in 2016. The group has been designated as a terrorist entity in Canada and New Zealand. McInnes has been banned from several social media platforms for promoting violent extremist groups and hate speech. He identifies as a fiscal conservative and libertarian, distancing himself from white nationalism and fascism. McInnes has been involved in various controversies, including legal actions against organizations that have labeled his group as a hate organization.
https://medium.com/technology-society/recommended-by-neo-nazis-banned-from-entire-countries-still-on-youtube-9eda3b99156a - Lauren Southern is a far-right activist who has been described as a 'white nationalist.' She previously worked for The Rebel Media, an organization accused of violating Canada's hate speech laws by promoting hatred against the Muslim community. In March 2018, Southern was denied entry to the UK under the Terrorism Act, with authorities citing her activities as a serious threat to societal interests and potential to incite community tensions. The Southern Poverty Law Center notes that her anti-feminist, xenophobic, and Islamophobic rhetoric borders on outright white nationalism. Southern has also propagated the 'white genocide' conspiracy theory, popular among white supremacists.
https://www.splcenter.org/resources/reports/mcinnes-molyneux-and-4chan-investigating-pathways-alt-right/ - This report examines the pathways to the alt-right, focusing on figures like Gavin McInnes and Stefan Molyneux, and platforms such as 4chan. It discusses how individuals are introduced to alt-right ideologies through these channels, with McInnes serving as a 'stepping stone' by using irony and incendiary comments to mock political correctness. The report highlights the overlap between McInnes's 'Western chauvinist' Proud Boys and white nationalists, noting shared beliefs in Western chauvinism and a lack of embarrassment about whiteness. It also mentions McInnes's influence on other alt-right figures and his role in promoting certain ideologies.
https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/gavin-mcinnes - Gavin McInnes is a Canadian writer, podcaster, and far-right commentator, best known as the co-founder of Vice magazine and the founder of the Proud Boys, a far-right militant organization. Born in 1970 in England, McInnes emigrated to Canada as a child. He co-founded Vice in 1996 and later established the Proud Boys in 2016. The group has been designated as a terrorist entity in Canada and New Zealand. McInnes has been banned from several social media platforms for promoting violent extremist groups and hate speech. He identifies as a fiscal conservative and libertarian, distancing himself from white nationalism and fascism. McInnes has been involved in various controversies, including legal actions against organizations that have labeled his group as a hate organization.
https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/lauren-southern - Lauren Southern is a Canadian far-right activist and former journalist known for her controversial views and activism. She gained prominence through her work with The Rebel Media, a Canadian far-right media organization. Southern has been associated with promoting anti-immigrant, anti-feminist, and anti-Islamic rhetoric. In 2018, she was denied entry to the United Kingdom under the Terrorism Act, with authorities citing her activities as a serious threat to societal interests and potential to incite community tensions. The Southern Poverty Law Center notes that her anti-feminist, xenophobic, and Islamophobic rhetoric borders on outright white nationalism. Southern has also propagated the 'white genocide' conspiracy theory, popular among white supremacists.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative appears recent, discussing contemporary figures and events without clear indicators of being recycled or outdated. However, specific details about the memoir’s publication date or recent updates are not provided.

Quotes check

Score: 8

Notes: The direct quote from Lucy Brown—“I’m writing a book... that will probably p*** everyone off – which is what I’m hoping it will do”—is not found in other sources, which suggests it might be an original or recent statement. However, without a specific primary source, it cannot be fully verified.

Source reliability

Score: 6

Notes: The Daily Mail is a well-known publication, but its reliability can vary depending on the topic and journalistic standards. The information provided is coherent but lacks corroboration from other reputable sources.

Plausability check

Score: 7

Notes: The claims about Lucy Brown’s memoir and her involvement in the free speech movement are plausible given the context of her connections to controversial figures. However, the lack of specific details about the memoir’s content or publication date makes it difficult to fully assess its plausibility.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative is likely contemporary and includes potentially original quotes, but lacks comprehensive corroboration from other sources. The reliability of the publication is variable, and the plausibility of the claims is reasonable but not fully verifiable.

Lucy Brown
Free speech
Hate Club
Activism
Memoir