BNP leader could set up office in Lancashire

LANCASHIRE could become the North West headquarters of the British National Party if Nick Griffin is elected at next month’s European elections.

Mr Griffin, the BNP’s leader, is standing for a North West seat at the elections, and has confirmed it is “quite likely” they would open an office somewhere “between Colne and Preston”, if elected.

More than 90 candidates, representing 12 political parties and an Independent, are set to stand for the eight North West MEP seats.

Over five million people will be eligible to go to the polls on Thursday June 4, to choose the region’s representatives in Europe.

Mr Griffin said: “It would be wrong to second guess the electorate, but we would probably be looking at two offices.

“One is likely to be in the major conurbations of Manchester or Liverpool and the other in the central belt, somewhere between Colne and Preston is quite likely.”

As well as the BNP, candidates representing the Christian party, the Conservatives, English Democrats, Jury Team, Liberal Democrats, No2EU: Yes to Democracy, Pro Democracy, Socialist Labour party, the Green party, Labour and the United Kingdom Independence party are standing for elections.

Chris Davies MEP, who represents the Liberal Democrats, is standing again next month.

He said: “This year’s list is thick with Eurosceptic candidates and we are proud to represent a pro-European party, we think it is positive for the UK to be in the European Union.

“It is important people use their vote as it is people who vote who make the difference.

“If you don’t make the effort to vote for someone who you think reflects you then you will almost certainly end up with someone who doesn’t reflect you.

“The BNP stood five years ago and there was lots of talk of them winning seats but they didn’t get anything.

“UKIP ended up with 12 seats but look at the sorry mess they have become.”

Preston Citizen
Monday 11th May 2009

Police: No link to BNP

Lancashire police has said it has no connection to a BNP campaign leaflet being distributed in Preston.
The leaflet features a photograph of a police officer. A police spokesman said: "The leaflets include a photograph of an unnamed officer and it would be unfortunate if an impression were given that officers were supporting one political party against another."
The leaflet is entitled 'Say no to EU rule'.

Lancashire Evening Post
13 April 2009

14 suspended over racist e-mails

A major investigation is under way after Lancashire County Council suspended 14 members of staff over an allegedly racist e-mail.

The offending e-mail is claimed to have contained anti-Jewish material – and a large number of the suspended members of County Hall staff are believed to be from Preston.

But a union leader has condemned the move as "extreme" and added the County Council was "using a sledgehammer to crack a nut".

County Coun Vali Patel, part of the cabinet working group on voluntary community faith sector, said: "My understanding is that the e-mails were pro-Palestinian which may be perceived as anti-Jewish and that the members of staff who have been suspended were the receivers of the e-mail rather than the creators.

"I believe the majority of the staff who have been suspended are from Preston.

"The majority of them are Muslims, although they are not all Muslims.

"I think the County Council is quite right to have suspended them while they investigate the background of the matter."

Les Parker, Lancashire branch secretary of union UNITE, said: "I find it a bit extreme that 14 people have been suspended.

"You need to have sufficient evidence to do this.

"I would be concerned if these 14 people have been suspended on something that may be considered to be inappropriate if it is a silly joke e-mail that deserves a slap on the wrist rather than suspension.

"If all these employees have been guilty of is receiving the e-mail, then suspending them is totally inappropriate and way over the top.

"If, however, they have then passed the offending e-mail on, then that is inappropriate.

"It seems to me the County Council are using a sledgehammer to crack a nut."

The departments involved in the scandal are believed to include Adult Social Care and Children and Young People.

If found guilty, the workers will face disciplinary action and could even be sacked.


Lancashire Evening Post
13 April 2009