Firearms Vetting OSINT Report
Lee Williams (“Cross The Rubicon”)
Executive Summary
Overall assessment: On the basis of available open-source information, Lee Williams should be assessed as a high-risk individual in the context of firearms licensing. He would not meet the “fit and proper person” test for firearms possession.
Profile: Williams is a UK-born New Zealand resident (now apparently back in the UK for much of the time) who has built an online persona as a far-right political commentator under the brand “Cross The Rubicon”. He has operated a YouTube channel with a substantial following, a Telegram channel, and smaller presences on alternative video platforms. His core content focuses on New Zealand and global politics with a strong anti-government, anti-Māori, anti-immigrant, anti-Islam and anti-LGBTQ framing, mixed with conspiracy narratives about “globalists”, the UN and the World Economic Forum.
Key behavioural history: Williams’ content and actions have attracted sustained criticism and repercussions in New Zealand. He was investigated and then dismissed by his employer (Synlait) after colleagues and members of the public highlighted his racist online material targeting Māori politicians. He has been the subject of public petitions, calls by Māori leaders to have his residency cancelled, at least two police visits following Islamophobic posts around the time of the Christchurch mosque attacks, and at least one in-person arrest after a physical confrontation at a political event in 2023. His online content has triggered moderation actions including YouTube suspensions and video removals for hate-speech policy breaches.
Firearms-relevant concerns: While there is no direct evidence of Williams personally possessing or misusing firearms, his rhetoric and influence are of concern. He strongly opposes New Zealand firearms reforms after the Christchurch attacks and frames gun control as part of a broader move towards “tyranny” and civil conflict. An identified follower of his channel, who held a firearms licence, produced a video brandishing a firearm and calling for genocidal violence against Māori. That individual was arrested and charged with inciting racial disharmony; the video was classified as objectionable. The content was explicitly in defence of Williams and in response to pressure on his employment. Williams’ response, as reported, was to invite private contact rather than immediately reject or report the threat. This indicates his online activity can act as a catalyst for dangerous behaviour by armed supporters.
Ideology and rhetoric: Williams’ public output is consistently aligned with far-right extremist narratives. He regularly portrays Māori political participation and co-governance proposals as a “coup by stealth” and an existential threat to democracy, describes Māori activists in dehumanising terms (for example as a “cancer” or “tumour” in society), and talks about potential “civil war” along racial and cultural lines. He has also produced strongly Islamophobic content, framed immigrants and Muslims as inherently violent, and has more recently linked political opponents and LGBTQ-adjacent topics to unfounded allegations of paedophilia. He frequently alleges that Western governments are controlled by a hidden global elite and that elections are largely illegitimate.
Behavioural stability: Williams demonstrates a persistent pattern of grievance, volatility and confrontational behaviour. In person, he has verbally confronted a senior politician (David Seymour) at a public meeting, and been directly involved in a scuffle at a highly charged “Stop Co-Governance” event where police intervened and arrested him. Online, his tone is consistently angry and contemptuous, with dehumanising and insulting language aimed at named individuals and groups. He presents himself as persecuted and on the verge of being silenced or expelled, which feeds a martyr or persecution narrative.
Criminality and law-related behaviour: Open sources show at least one arrest relating to disorderly conduct at a political meeting. There is no clear evidence of conventional criminal offending such as drugs, fraud or gang involvement. However, Williams persistently pushes near the boundaries of hate-speech law, has required intervention or monitoring by police, and his content has resulted in a close associate committing an offence relating to incitement of racial violence.
Situational risk: Williams’ presence at political and community events tends to increase tensions. When he attends volatile gatherings (such as anti-co-governance meetings), there is already a history of confrontation and physical altercation. His rhetoric has the potential to encourage lone-actor or small-group violence, particularly by individuals who already hold firearms licences or have access to weapons. Even if he is physically overseas, his ongoing commentary about New Zealand can still influence domestic actors.
Recommendation (firearms vetting context): Taken together, Williams’ extremist ideology, demonstrated volatility, role in radicalising at least one armed supporter, and ongoing pattern of inciteful public communication mean that he should not be considered a fit and proper person to possess firearms in New Zealand. Any association between Williams and firearms – whether through personal application, co-residence with a licence holder, or close contact with an applicant – should be treated as a significant risk indicator and trigger thorough review. Continued OSINT monitoring of his public activity is advisable.
1. Scope and Methodology
Scope. This report assesses the open-source footprint of Lee Williams in relation to firearms licensing vetting. The focus is on behaviours, associations and rhetoric that are relevant to public safety, extremist ideology, and propensity for violence. The primary geographic scope is New Zealand, where Williams lived and worked for an extended period and where most consequences of his behaviour were felt. Secondary attention is given to the United Kingdom, where he now appears to live for much of the time but continues to comment on New Zealand affairs.
Timeframe. The assessment covers activity from approximately 2018 (around the creation of his YouTube channel) through to early 2025, based on the most recently available public posts and media coverage.
Sources. Only open-source information has been used. This includes:
- Williams’ own public content on platforms such as YouTube, Telegram and alternative video sites;
- Mainstream news reporting from New Zealand outlets (radio, television and print/online) covering his employment issues, protests, and public controversies;
- Commentary and analysis from researchers and bloggers who track extremist or conspiratorial activity in New Zealand;
- Public petitions and statements by community leaders and organisations in response to his conduct.
Method. The investigation applied a standard OSINT workflow:
- Identified and confirmed the subject’s personal details and online aliases, ensuring that references to “Lee Williams” and “Cross The Rubicon” referred to the same individual.
- Developed a search matrix combining the subject’s name and known handles with key themes (for example “Synlait”, “He Puapua”, “Stop Co-Governance”, “Telegram”, “Rumble”, “extremist”, “white supremacist”).
- Conducted platform-specific searches and used archived versions where primary content had been removed or made harder to access.
- Recorded key items of evidence including date, context, short excerpts and nature of the behaviour observed.
- Constructed a chronological timeline of important events and escalations.
- Assessed the combined evidence against defined risk categories: firearms-related red flags, extremism/ideology, behavioural instability, criminality indicators, and situational risks.
Limitations. Some original videos and posts are no longer directly available due to account suspensions, deletions or platform moderation. In those cases, the report relies on archived copies or on accurate descriptions from reputable news outlets or researchers. This assessment does not include any non-public police, immigration or intelligence files, nor medical information. As with all OSINT, new information could emerge that adds to or modifies the picture presented here.
2. Subject Identifiers
Full name: Lee John Williams.
Common name: Lee Williams.
Nationality: British (UK-born). Long-term resident of New Zealand for part of the period under review.
Last known locations: Canterbury region (New Zealand) while employed at Synlait. Subsequently reported in Christchurch and elsewhere in NZ for events and protests. In the last few years he has spent extended time in the United Kingdom and operates some of his channels from there.
Employment and background:
- Worked as a forklift driver at Synlait Milk Ltd in the Selwyn District until dismissal in 2021.
- Self-described political commentator and online content creator operating under the “Cross The Rubicon” brand.
Primary online identities:
- YouTube: Channel “Cross The Rubicon” (handle usually shown as @crosstherubicon plus numeric suffix). Several periods of suspension and subsequent reactivation are reported.
- Telegram: Channel under the same brand, with an audience of roughly a thousand followers at its peak. Used for longer text posts and sharing videos or articles.
- Alternative video platforms: Small channel on Rumble under “Lee Williams – CTC (Cross The Rubicon) UK”, used more heavily during periods when YouTube restricted his content.
- Podcast feeds: Short-lived audio podcast branded “Cross The Rubicon” used around the time of a YouTube suspension.
Associated figures and organisations (non-exhaustive):
- Synlait Milk Ltd: Former employer, conducted an internal investigation and ultimately dismissed him following concerns over his online content.
- David Seymour (ACT Party leader): Target of an in-person confrontation at a public meeting where Williams challenged him about “free speech” and the consequences of Williams’ own actions.
- Julian Batchelor / “Stop Co-Governance” movement: Williams attended some meetings of this campaign and expressed sympathy with its anti-co-governance arguments, although event organisers have publicly distanced themselves from him following disorder.
- Matthew Tukaki / New Zealand Māori Council: Prominent critic who promoted a petition calling for Williams’ residency to be reviewed or revoked due to racist content.
- Richard Jacobs: Online supporter who produced an armed video threatening genocidal violence against Māori in defence of Williams and was later prosecuted.
- Hearts of Oak (UK) and other “free speech” platforms: Hosted interviews with Williams where he tells his story as a victim of “cancel culture”.
3. Master Timeline (NZT)
The following timeline summarises significant events relevant to risk assessment. Dates are indicative and based on the public record.
2018–early 2019: Channel creation and early content
- Williams establishes his “Cross The Rubicon” YouTube channel in 2018 and begins uploading political commentary targeted at a New Zealand and UK audience.
- In the months preceding and following the 15 March 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks, he publishes anti-Islam content accusing media of being afraid to criticise Islam and implying Muslims are inherently violent. Police reportedly visit him twice after the attacks to discuss his posts and check for potential risk.
Late 2019–2020: Suspensions and alternative platforms
- YouTube imposes at least one suspension or strike on his channel. During this period Williams launches a podcast under the same brand and complains that the New Zealand Government and platforms are trying to silence him.
- In podcast episodes he links restrictions on his speech with the Government’s moves to tighten gun laws after Christchurch, characterising both as steps towards authoritarianism and the disarming of citizens.
2021: Petition, investigation, firing and political confrontation
- A public petition, widely reported in news media, accuses Williams of publishing racist and “white supremacist” content aimed at Māori, including an impersonation of Māori MP Rawiri Waititi. The petition calls on Synlait to review his employment.
- Synlait announces an internal investigation and suspends Williams. In response, he posts videos describing himself as a victim of “cancel culture”, criticising Māori leaders and activists, and indicating he may travel back to the UK.
- Williams is ultimately dismissed by Synlait. Around the same time, his bank closes his accounts citing reputational concerns. These events become a central part of his online narrative of persecution.
- At a public meeting in Ashburton featuring ACT Party leader David Seymour, Williams confronts Seymour, complains about being “destroyed” by the petition, and demands stronger defence of his speech. Seymour declines to endorse him and emphasises that free speech does not guarantee freedom from consequences. Williams is described as angry and persistent to the point that he has to be moved on.
- During the same period a supporter of Williams, firearms licence holder Richard Jacobs, posts a video brandishing a gun and threatening extreme violence, including the idea that Māori could be wiped out within a short period. The video is explicitly motivated by outrage at the campaign against Williams. Jacobs is arrested, the video is classified as objectionable, and he is charged with inciting racial disharmony. Williams’ public response, according to later analysis, is to invite Jacobs to make private contact rather than condemn the threat outright.
2022: Relocation to the UK and continued online activity
- Williams spends significant time in the United Kingdom and begins posting videos from there under a “CTC UK” label. He emphasises that he is continuing to “get the information out” about New Zealand politics to audiences abroad.
- He continues to discuss New Zealand topics (for example co-governance, Three Waters reform and the Ardern Government) while also commenting on UK issues. Some content is uploaded primarily to Rumble during periods when his main YouTube channel is restricted.
2023: Anti–co-governance activism and arrest
- Throughout 2023 Williams speaks extensively about Māori co-governance proposals, He Puapua, and related issues. He portrays these as a “coup by stealth” whereby “radical Māori” intend to gain control over the country’s resources and institutions.
- He attends at least one “Stop Co-Governance” meeting in Golden Bay. Tensions between attendees and protesters outside the venue escalate. Williams is filmed being hit with flour and responding by calling protesters “animals”. A scuffle at the entrance follows, resulting in his arrest by police for disorderly behaviour or a similar public order offence.
- Media coverage of the incident describes him as a far-right extremist and revisits his firing from Synlait and earlier controversies. Williams later confirms on his own channel that he was arrested.
- A separate video in which he predicts civil war in the United Kingdom and discusses certain immigrant communities is removed from YouTube for hate-speech policy violations.
Late 2023–early 2024: Telegram manifestos and post-election rhetoric
- On his Telegram channel, Williams posts long text pieces about New Zealand politics, particularly around the 2023 general election and its aftermath.
- In one major post he reproduces and endorses a narrative that Māori activists and sympathetic institutions have been attempting a long-term takeover of New Zealand, and that the change of government in 2023 has “put the brakes on” this plan. He describes Māori political leaders and some public servants in highly negative and dehumanising terms, and calls on “men” to stand up, support the new government, and not be afraid of being called racist, or else “the country will be lost forever.”
- The Telegram channel appears to become quiet or inactive by early 2024, but the content remains available via third-party archives.
2025: Continued online incitement from abroad
- In early 2025 Williams releases a video accusing specific New Zealand political parties of protecting or enabling an alleged paedophile MP, without providing substantiated evidence. In the accompanying text he uses vulgar insults for journalists, claims a broader agenda of “normalising paedophilia”, and urges viewers to share the video widely and “bring these people down and jailed”.
- He comments that he expects police attention due to the video, indicating awareness that his statements may cross legal lines. Archived copies show the content attracting only a small number of views, suggesting his reach may have diminished compared with earlier years, though his capacity to influence highly committed followers remains a concern.
4. Platform-by-Platform Findings
4.1 YouTube
Williams’ primary platform is YouTube, where his “Cross The Rubicon” channel has at times attracted tens of thousands of subscribers and more than a million total views. The channel description emphasises exposing a global conspiracy, and his videos often feature direct-to-camera monologues on current affairs.
Content themes on YouTube include:
- Anti-Māori rhetoric: Regular criticism of Māori politicians, activists and policies. Co-governance and He Puapua are framed as evidence of a plan by Māori elites to seize power and marginalise non-Māori. Language used in this context includes terms such as “extremists”, “fanatics”, “coup by stealth” and, in some cases, comparisons to disease or parasites.
- Anti-immigrant and Islamophobic themes: Videos associate Muslim and immigrant communities with violence and social breakdown, particularly in the UK. Williams claims that media are too afraid to criticise Islam for fear of physical attack, and suggests that Western cities are being transformed by hostile populations.
- Anti-government and conspiratorial narratives: Frequent references to “globalist” control via entities such as the United Nations or World Economic Forum. He portrays political leaders (including Jacinda Ardern and other Western leaders) as puppets selected by these elites. Elections are described as largely meaningless or rigged.
- Firearms and civil conflict rhetoric: Post-Christchurch, Williams repeatedly links firearms controls with wider “tyranny” and claims that governments want to “disarm” citizens while also limiting speech. He suggests Western countries are heading for civil war and that there may be only one option left for people wishing to preserve their way of life, though he stops short of openly calling for violence.
- Personal grievance and martyrdom: Many videos focus on his own experiences of suspension, job loss and public criticism. He frames himself as a test case for free speech and suggests that if he can be “destroyed” for his opinions, others could be next.
His YouTube presence is notable not only for reach but also for repeated friction with platform rules. Reports and archived records indicate:
- Temporary bans or strikes for policy violations, during which he switched to podcasts and alternative sites.
- At least one video removed specifically for hate-speech content relating to civil war and ethnic tension in the UK.
- Self-reported interactions with police which he describes in video titles as “armed police visits” linked to his political commentary.
4.2 Telegram
Telegram appears to have served as Williams’ “backup” platform, where he could publish content with fewer moderation concerns. His channel there has carried:
- Lengthy text posts outlining a worldview in which New Zealand faces an existential threat from “radical Māori” and complicit institutions.
- Calls for supporters to back political parties and leaders who will dismantle co-governance and other perceived concessions to Māori.
- Strongly worded commentary on mainstream media, which he describes as corrupt or cowardly, and encouragement for followers to rely on alternative information sources.
- Links to sympathetic external content including interviews, blog posts and videos from other right-wing or conspiracy-oriented creators.
The tone on Telegram is generally more unrestrained than on YouTube. Insults and dehumanising language are common, as are metaphors of warfare and sickness. One significant post following the 2023 election praises the incoming government for halting the supposed Māori takeover but warns that the situation remains grave and requires people, especially men, to stand up without fear of being labelled racist.
4.3 Alternative platforms and interviews
When facing YouTube restrictions, Williams has used Rumble and similar platforms to host videos, some of which reiterate New Zealand-focused content from the UK. These channels are smaller but indicate his intent to remain active even when de-platformed from major sites.
He has appeared on overseas podcasts and streaming shows that focus on “free speech” and opposition to so-called cancel culture. In these settings he tends to emphasise his firing from Synlait, criticisms of New Zealand’s hate-speech environment, and his view that Western societies are in decline due to multiculturalism and globalisation.
4.4 Media, petitions and community responses
New Zealand media outlets have produced multiple news stories and opinion pieces about Williams. These typically cover:
- The petition to Synlait alleging his social media output amounted to white supremacist propaganda aimed at Māori.
- His dismissal from Synlait and associated reactions from unions, Māori organisations and concerned members of the public.
- The confrontation with David Seymour, often framed as an example of the tensions around free speech and consequences.
- The Golden Bay “Stop Co-Governance” incident, with coverage of the scuffle, his arrest, and his past history.
Community responses have included organised petitions calling for his deportation or revocation of residency, public condemnations by Māori leaders and anti-racism groups, and counter-narratives from some conservative or “free speech” groups who argue that his dismissal was unjust. This polarisation underlines that Williams is a known and divisive public figure in New Zealand.
5. Risk Indicator Analysis
5.1 Firearms Red Flags
- Indirect incitement involving an armed supporter. A key red flag is the case of an identified follower who, in reaction to campaigns against Williams, produced a video with a firearm and advocated extreme violence against Māori. The connection between the subject’s rhetoric and this armed threat is clear: the supporter explicitly referenced Williams and his situation. Although Williams did not publicly endorse the threat, his reported reaction was to invite private contact rather than to disavow or report the behaviour.
- Narratives resisting disarmament. Williams frequently characterises New Zealand’s firearms reforms as part of a broader authoritarian agenda. He combines references to restrictions on speech with the notion of citizens being “disarmed”, implying that loss of firearms rights diminishes the ability to resist government overreach.
- Apocalyptic conflict framing. Repeated suggestions that civil war or large-scale civil conflict is likely or inevitable create an environment in which some followers may view armament as sensible or necessary. The lack of clear messaging against violent solutions compounds this risk.
- No evidence of safe, lawful firearms culture. There is no meaningful content from Williams that reflects a responsible sporting, hunting or defensive firearms culture. Firearms appear in his narrative primarily as tools of power in political struggle.
Assessment: Even in the absence of direct personal firearms misuse, the subject’s rhetoric and documented influence on at least one armed supporter constitute strong firearms-related risk indicators. He should not be granted access to firearms, and his association with applicants or licence holders should be treated as highly concerning.
5.2 Extremism / Ideology
- Racial and religious hostility. Williams has repeatedly produced content targeting Māori as a group, casting Māori political aspirations as illegitimate and dangerous, and using dehumanising language. He has also promoted hostile generalisations about Muslims and certain immigrant communities.
- Anti-government and anti-democratic themes. He routinely frames governments as illegitimate, controlled by hidden elites, and fundamentally opposed to the interests of “ordinary people”. Democratic processes are portrayed as insufficient or fraudulent.
- Conspiracy thinking. Narratives about global conspiracies to “destroy the West”, coordinated international collusion, and hidden agendas around co-governance and indigenous rights are central to his messaging. These fit well within modern far-right conspiracy ecosystems.
- Expansion of targets. Over time his list of targets has broadened to include journalists, public servants, and LGBTQ-related issues, culminating in unfounded allegations about political figures and paedophilia. This pattern mirrors the evolving focus of international extremist communities.
Assessment: Williams’ worldview and communication style are consistent with far-right extremist ideology. While he has not been publicly linked to a formal extremist organisation, his rhetoric and narratives align closely with those used to justify hate-motivated violence elsewhere.
5.3 Behavioural Instability
- Escalatory reactions to perceived slights. Following criticism or consequences (job loss, bans), Williams tends to respond with emotional and angry posts or confrontations rather than de-escalation.
- In-person confrontations and arrest. He has confronted political figures at public meetings and become involved in physical altercations that resulted in police intervention and arrest.
- Persistent grievance and victimhood narrative. Williams presents himself as someone systematically persecuted by institutions and particular groups. This sustained sense of grievance can fuel radicalisation and reduce willingness to comply with authorities.
- Dehumanising language. The frequency and intensity of insults and dehumanising phrases directed at opponents suggest poor impulse control and entrenched hostility.
Assessment: The subject shows signs of volatility, difficulty accepting accountability, and a tendency to escalate conflict. This behavioural profile is not compatible with the responsibilities associated with safe firearms ownership.
5.4 Criminality Indicators
- Public order offence. The 2023 arrest at a political meeting indicates at least one incident where Williams’ behaviour crossed into suspected offending, even if penalties were minor.
- Edge-of-law speech. His content repeatedly approaches, and may occasionally breach, thresholds for hate-speech or harmful communications, as indicated by platform bans and police monitoring.
- Association with incitement offence. While he was not charged in relation to his supporter’s armed threat, the fact that his channel became the staging ground for that content is highly relevant.
Assessment: Williams’ open criminal history appears limited, but the pattern of behaviour is one of testing boundaries and disregarding the spirit of laws intended to protect communities from hatred and incitement.
5.5 Situational Risks
- Risk at public events. His attendance at politically charged events is associated with increased tension and a heightened likelihood of confrontation or disorder.
- Risk to targeted communities. Communities he vilifies – particularly Māori, Muslim and LGBTQ communities, as well as specific public figures – face increased risk of harassment, threats or even violence from individuals influenced by his messaging.
- Risk to licence holders influenced by his content. The Jacobs case demonstrates that at least one firearms licence holder has been drawn into dangerous behaviour in the context of defending or echoing Williams’ views.
Assessment: Williams acts as an amplifier of tension in already sensitive contexts and contributes to an environment in which extremist violence is more likely. This situational risk is relevant both inside New Zealand and, to a lesser extent, in the UK context where he now spends time.
6. Evidence Overview
This report is grounded in a combination of:
- News articles from New Zealand outlets describing Williams’ employment issues, public confrontations, arrest and political activities.
- Archived and live content from his YouTube, Telegram and alternative platform accounts, including channel descriptions, video titles, descriptions and text posts.
- Public commentary from researchers and analysts focusing on extremism in New Zealand, who have examined Williams’ rhetoric and its effects on followers.
- Petitions and public statements by community organisations, especially Māori groups, calling attention to his content and seeking official responses.
These independent sources are broadly consistent with each other regarding key facts about Williams’ behaviour, ideology and the consequences that followed.
7. Open Items
Several aspects remain uncertain from open sources and may warrant further internal inquiry if relevant to specific decisions:
- Whether Williams has ever held a New Zealand firearms licence, and if so whether it has been revoked or allowed to lapse.
- The precise current legal status of any charges arising from the 2023 Golden Bay incident.
- His current immigration and residency status in New Zealand, particularly whether any formal moves were made to revoke or decline visas or residency.
- The scale and nature of any private online networks (for example closed groups or encrypted chats) in which he participates or which he influences, beyond public channels.
- The extent of any financial support from individuals or groups, domestic or overseas, who may share his ideology.
8. Legal and Preservation Notes
Use of this report. This document is prepared for internal risk assessment purposes. It relies on publicly accessible information and does not assert the truth of any allegation beyond what is reasonably supported by multiple independent sources. Quotations or paraphrases of Williams’ own words and of third-party commentary are included solely to illustrate behaviour relevant to firearms vetting.
Defamation and harmful content. Some of the statements described are themselves defamatory, hateful or otherwise harmful. Care should be taken not to republish these outside appropriate legal and operational contexts. Where possible, references to such statements should be summarised rather than quoted at length in external communications.
Evidence capture. If any part of this material is required for legal proceedings or formal licensing decisions, original posts and articles should be preserved using approved digital-evidence procedures (for example, screenshots with timestamps, hash values, or platform export tools). Archived copies may be needed if content is later deleted or altered.
Inter-jurisdictional considerations. As Williams appears to spend time in the United Kingdom, liaison with UK counterparts may be appropriate if his activities there raise public-safety concerns or involve New Zealand communities or interests. Any sharing of material should comply with relevant privacy and information-sharing frameworks.
Firearms licensing implication. Under New Zealand’s “fit and proper person” test, behaviour demonstrating extremist ideology, strong grievance, volatility, and the ability to influence others towards violence can all be considered. On that basis, the overall recommendation of this report is that Lee Williams should be treated as a high-risk individual in relation to firearms and that any direct or indirect link between him and firearms possession be regarded as a serious concern.
Classification: Internal OSINT assessment for firearms vetting – not for public release.