A LEADING member of the Orange Order is to stand for the BNP in the forthcoming election, it is reported.
Nick Blake, a district master of a Lodge in Devon, England, has been selected as a candidate for the far-right extremist party.
The news comes in the aftermath of the Grand Lodge in Ireland issuing a statement this week vocing its opposition to a planned visit to the UK by Pope Benedict XVI in September.
According to the Irish News, a spokesman for the Grand Lodge refused to comment on the development.
"It's a matter for the grand lodge of England and not a matter for the grand lodge of Ireland at all," he said.
"People stand for all sorts of political parties."
However, English Grand Master Ron Bather declined to disassociate himself from the Orangeman's political role.
"As an institution we try not to interfere with the political views of any of our members.
"We're not a far-right organisation. We have members from all over the world but our members are entitled to stand for whatever political organisation they so wish.
"It doesn't mean that the institution supports those views in any way."
Alliance MLA Anna Lo urged the Orange Order to take action against Mr Blake.
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