A British National Party prospective parliamentary candidate in Shropshire claims he has been excluded from a General Election hustings in the county.
Phil Reddall said he was the only candidate contesting the north Shropshire seat not to have been invited to tomorrow’s meeting in Oswestry organised by the National Farmers’ Union.
But the NFU said today that it had invited to the meeting those parties which it believed had the “strongest agricultural agenda”.
The meeting is being held at the Pedigree pub in Shrewsbury Road at 2.30pm.
The parliamentary candidates for Labour, Lib Dems, Conservatives, UKIP and the Green party have been invited to the meeting.
Mr Reddall, of Cheswardine, near Market Drayton said: “We are not asking to be treated in any way different, we are simply asking for a level playing field, to be treated in the same way as everyone else.”
A spokesman for the National Farmers’ Union, Oliver Cartwright, said: “The meeting was organised for our membership to discuss farming issues with prospective candidates.
“As a membership organisation we have the right to invite whom we wish to our meetings. We have got a limited time for the event and had to invited those we believe to be key players, those who include agriculture on their agendas and manifestos.”
Mr Cartwright said that as well as the three main political parties the Green party had been invited because it was heavily interested in agricultural and environmental issues.
He said UKIP was involved in agriculture at a EU level.
Shropshire’s BNP spokesman, Mr James Whittall, said the NFU meeting was not the first that had excluded the BNP.
“Some areas are inviting us to meetings but certain pockets are not.”
He said the BNP had been invited to church meetings in the Wrekin and Telford constituencies but those invitations had later been withdrawn when some other candidates had refused to share a platform with the BNP candidates.
Earlier this week the Lichfield Diocese wrote to churches urging them not to invite the BNP to meeting that it was organising.
shropshire star
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Bill Clinton's warning on extremist mood in US
Bill Clinton today warned politicians and commentators to tone down their rhetoric for fear of inflaming hate groups and provoking violence, as a poll suggested that public trust in the US government is at its lowest point for half a century.
Amid growing concern in the White House about the anti-government mood and a marked rise in radical fringe groups, Clinton said the internet made it easier to spread ideas to reach "the unhinged". The worry is not so much over populist movements such as the Tea Party but the revival of extreme groups that have been encouraged by general anti-government sentiment.
On the 15th anniversary of the 1995 Oklahoma bombing, the worst terrorist attack in the US before 9/11, Clinton wrote in the New York Times: "We are again dealing with difficulties in a contentious, partisan time … As we exercise the right to advocate our views, and as we animate our supporters, we must all assume responsibility for our words and actions before they enter a vast echo chamber and reach those both serious and delirious, connected and unhinged."
Clinton said it should not be forgotten what drove the Oklahoma bombers. "They took to the ultimate extreme an idea advocated in the months and years before the bombing by an increasingly vocal minority: the belief that the greatest threat to American freedom is our government and that public servants do not protect our freedoms but abuse them."
At a ceremony in Oklahoma yesterday, survivors and victims' relatives commemorated the 168 people who were killed.
The extent of the anti-government mood in the country was revealed today in a Pew Research Centre poll that found public confidence in the federal government was at its lowest for half a century. Almost eight out of 10 Americans surveyed said they did not trust it; only 22% said they trusted the federal government almost always or most of the time.
Andrew Kohut, director of the Pew Centre, said: "Trust in government rarely gets this low. Some of it is backlash against Obama. But there are a lot of other things going on."
The poll identified several reasons for the rise in anti-government feelings: opposition to Obama; the recession, in particular the role of Wall Street; and anger with both Democratic and Republican members of Congress.
The Southern Poverty Legal Centre, which tracks hate groups, said yesterday there has been a surge in the number of militia and other extremists. Mark Potok, its head, said the mood was so volatile that it needed only a spark to set it off.
Last month nine people linked to the Hutaree, a Christian militia group in Michigan, were arrested over an alleged plot to kill police in the hope of starting an uprising against the government. In February, a lone anti-tax protester flew a plane into the tax office in Austin, Texas.
Members of Congress who last month supported the health reform bill have been targets of vandalism and death threats. Yesterday several hundred pro-gun activists gathered at the Washington Monument to demand the end of restrictions on carrying guns in public.
Larry Pratt, executive director of Gun Owners of America, said groups such as his were set on ousting moderate Republicans in primaries before the November Congressional mid-term elections.
"We are in a war," Pratt, a former Republican member of the Virginia state legislature, told a rally. He said the Obama administration was out to take their freedom, their money and their childrens because it was socialist.
A newly-formed group, the Oath Keepers, made up of former members of the armed services and police forces, had been due to take part in a rally in Virginia at which they would openly carry firearms but pulled out, expressing fears of confrontation with the police.
The Guardian
Amid growing concern in the White House about the anti-government mood and a marked rise in radical fringe groups, Clinton said the internet made it easier to spread ideas to reach "the unhinged". The worry is not so much over populist movements such as the Tea Party but the revival of extreme groups that have been encouraged by general anti-government sentiment.
On the 15th anniversary of the 1995 Oklahoma bombing, the worst terrorist attack in the US before 9/11, Clinton wrote in the New York Times: "We are again dealing with difficulties in a contentious, partisan time … As we exercise the right to advocate our views, and as we animate our supporters, we must all assume responsibility for our words and actions before they enter a vast echo chamber and reach those both serious and delirious, connected and unhinged."
Clinton said it should not be forgotten what drove the Oklahoma bombers. "They took to the ultimate extreme an idea advocated in the months and years before the bombing by an increasingly vocal minority: the belief that the greatest threat to American freedom is our government and that public servants do not protect our freedoms but abuse them."
At a ceremony in Oklahoma yesterday, survivors and victims' relatives commemorated the 168 people who were killed.
The extent of the anti-government mood in the country was revealed today in a Pew Research Centre poll that found public confidence in the federal government was at its lowest for half a century. Almost eight out of 10 Americans surveyed said they did not trust it; only 22% said they trusted the federal government almost always or most of the time.
Andrew Kohut, director of the Pew Centre, said: "Trust in government rarely gets this low. Some of it is backlash against Obama. But there are a lot of other things going on."
The poll identified several reasons for the rise in anti-government feelings: opposition to Obama; the recession, in particular the role of Wall Street; and anger with both Democratic and Republican members of Congress.
The Southern Poverty Legal Centre, which tracks hate groups, said yesterday there has been a surge in the number of militia and other extremists. Mark Potok, its head, said the mood was so volatile that it needed only a spark to set it off.
Last month nine people linked to the Hutaree, a Christian militia group in Michigan, were arrested over an alleged plot to kill police in the hope of starting an uprising against the government. In February, a lone anti-tax protester flew a plane into the tax office in Austin, Texas.
Members of Congress who last month supported the health reform bill have been targets of vandalism and death threats. Yesterday several hundred pro-gun activists gathered at the Washington Monument to demand the end of restrictions on carrying guns in public.
Larry Pratt, executive director of Gun Owners of America, said groups such as his were set on ousting moderate Republicans in primaries before the November Congressional mid-term elections.
"We are in a war," Pratt, a former Republican member of the Virginia state legislature, told a rally. He said the Obama administration was out to take their freedom, their money and their childrens because it was socialist.
A newly-formed group, the Oath Keepers, made up of former members of the armed services and police forces, had been due to take part in a rally in Virginia at which they would openly carry firearms but pulled out, expressing fears of confrontation with the police.
The Guardian
GOODWILL MARCH IN PRAGUE HIGHLIGHTS THE DANGER OF ANTI-SEMITISM (Czech Rep.)
The goal of the Goodwill March that was staged in Prague Sunday was to calmly react to the alleged aggressiveness and ignorance of neo-Nazis and anti-Semites in society. The police estimated participation in the march from the Old Town to the Lesser Town at 400 people. Last year some 1000 people took part in the event. The march, organised by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, was also attended by a few dozen activists who focus on human rights observance in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories. "We want to point to the application of double standards in approach to Palestinians who are daily faced with aggressiveness, racism and other forms of oppression by the state of Israel," Jana Ridvanova, from the association Friends of Palestine, told CTK. The march ended in the Wallenstein Garden where the 7th public rally called We All Are People was held. It wants to declare that anti-Semitism has no place in a decent society. Israeli jazz musician Amos Hoffman with his band performed within the event. A few Holocaust survivors spoke about their stay in concentration camps. Tomas Kraus, secretary of the Federation of Jewish Communities, acquainted the present people with a report on manifestations of anti-Semitism in the Czech Republic. He said the situation is relatively good. Last year 28 anti-Semitic manifestations were registered in the country.
Prague Monitor
Prague Monitor
Deadly attack on gay man 'like Clockwork Orange scene'
Ian Baynham, 62, of Beckenham, Kent, was with a friend when three teenagers attacked him outside South Africa House in September, the Old Bailey heard.
One witness said the attack, in which he was punched and stamped, was like a "scene from the film Clockwork Orange".
Joel Alexander, 19, Rachel Burke and Ruby Thomas, both 18, have all pleaded not guilty to manslaughter.
Mr Alexander, of Thornton Heath, south London, Miss Burke, of Three Oaks, East Sussex, and Miss Thomas, of Lichfield, Staffordshire, also deny violent disorder.
'Shocked onlookers'
Brian Altman, prosecuting, said the girls, then 17, had been drinking when they confronted Mr Baynham and his friend Philip Brown and shouted abuse at them.
It was Mr Alexander, then 18, who punched the victim to the ground. Mr Baynham died 18 days after the attack from a brain injury.
Mr Altman said the "brutal attack" was "fuelled by copious amounts of alcohol".
"One onlooker likened the scene of violence to the film A Clockwork Orange.
"Ian Baynham was openly homosexual. What led to his death began when Ruby Thomas hurled homophobic abuse at him and his friend Philip Brown."
The row escalated when Mr Baynham slapped Miss Burke, which led to Mr Alexander punching the victim with such force that he hit the back of his head on the pavement and became unconscious, Mr Altman said.
He added: "That did not suffice. There is evidence that the female defendants then began putting the boot into Mr Baynham, who was still prone on his back, clearly unconscious and in distress.
"Shocked onlookers saw repeated stamping to his chest and forceful kicks to his head."
Miss Burke also repeatedly punched Mr Brown in the face when he tried to stop her from fleeing, the jury heard. She also denies assaulting Mr Brown.
The trial continues.
BBC News
Billy Bragg clashes with BNP's Richard Barnbrook
Billy Bragg was engaged in a finger-pointing row with a senior member of the British National party during a day of action in London, telling him his "racist fascist" politics offered no help to voters.
Bragg was leafleting in Barking and Dagenham, one of the BNP's top target areas in next month's elections, when he bumped into the BNP's London assembly member, Richard Barnbrook, who has attacked the singer on his blog.
Bragg, who was born and raised in Barking, told Barnbrook: "You do not represent the people of Barking and Dagenham," as the pair became embroiled in a heated argument. "You are exploiting the genuine concerns of people here and you are making the problems worse."
Barnbrook, who was elected to the London assembly in 2008, accused Bragg of "mouthing away" and said the "ballot box will determine what happens".
The exchange came during a day of action against the BNP which saw 541 volunteers deliver 91,000 Hope Not Hate newspapers.
The BNP is due to launch its manifesto this week and has claimed it is on the verge of causing a "political earthquake". It claims it has a chance of taking control of Barking and Dagenham council and of gaining two MPs – in Stoke Central and Barking.
However, the far-right party's campaign has been beset by problems, and it appears to be floundering in the polls. Internal criticism over Nick Griffin's leadership came to a head earlier this month when publicity director Mark Collett was arrested on suspicion of threatening to kill him.
In Stoke, the party's number two target, Alby Walker, who led the BNP on the local council for four years, is standing as an independent in the general election.
Walker said he was leaving the BNP because of a "vein of Holocaust denying within the BNP that I cannot identify myself with."
Meanwhile Griffin, who is standing in Barking, has been forced to change the BNP's whites-only membership policy following a legal battle with the Equalities and Human Rights Commission. Last week the Electoral Commission announced it was launching a formal investigation into the party's 2008 accounts.
These difficulties appear to have hit the party's ability to stand candidates in next month's local elections.
The Guardian
Bragg was leafleting in Barking and Dagenham, one of the BNP's top target areas in next month's elections, when he bumped into the BNP's London assembly member, Richard Barnbrook, who has attacked the singer on his blog.
Bragg, who was born and raised in Barking, told Barnbrook: "You do not represent the people of Barking and Dagenham," as the pair became embroiled in a heated argument. "You are exploiting the genuine concerns of people here and you are making the problems worse."
Barnbrook, who was elected to the London assembly in 2008, accused Bragg of "mouthing away" and said the "ballot box will determine what happens".
The exchange came during a day of action against the BNP which saw 541 volunteers deliver 91,000 Hope Not Hate newspapers.
The BNP is due to launch its manifesto this week and has claimed it is on the verge of causing a "political earthquake". It claims it has a chance of taking control of Barking and Dagenham council and of gaining two MPs – in Stoke Central and Barking.
However, the far-right party's campaign has been beset by problems, and it appears to be floundering in the polls. Internal criticism over Nick Griffin's leadership came to a head earlier this month when publicity director Mark Collett was arrested on suspicion of threatening to kill him.
In Stoke, the party's number two target, Alby Walker, who led the BNP on the local council for four years, is standing as an independent in the general election.
Walker said he was leaving the BNP because of a "vein of Holocaust denying within the BNP that I cannot identify myself with."
Meanwhile Griffin, who is standing in Barking, has been forced to change the BNP's whites-only membership policy following a legal battle with the Equalities and Human Rights Commission. Last week the Electoral Commission announced it was launching a formal investigation into the party's 2008 accounts.
These difficulties appear to have hit the party's ability to stand candidates in next month's local elections.
The Guardian
Ugandan MP to be banned from UK if his gay death penalty bill succeeds
The British government will ban a Ugandan MP from travelling to the UK if he is successful in passing a law that would impose the death penalty in Uganda for being gay.
Civil servants in the Foreign Office, the Department for International Development and the Borders Agency are drawing up plans to block the visa of born-again Christian MP David Bahati if he does not drop legislation that would see consenting adults who have gay sex imprisoned for life and impose the death penalty on those with HIV – which will be called "aggravated homosexuality".
The bill also proposes the death penalty for those having gay sex with anyone under the age of 18, with someone disabled or what the legislation describes as "serial offenders".
It also calls for life prison sentences for those "promoting homosexuality", which could come to mean human rights groups or those who fail to inform on a gay couple.
One senior British government source said the issue could turn into a "major diplomatic incident if the Ugandans do not back down". President Barack Obama has already described the legislation as odious.
The British government's views have been conveyed to Uganda but officials have not received a clear sense of whether the legislature will pass the bill into law.
Ugandan government officials appear to be using stalling tactics, suggesting it will not come to a vote until 2011, deflecting pressure from a government that could change in the forthcoming general election.
Bahati submitted a private member's bill to the Ugandan parliament last year arguing that homosexuality is a lifestyle choice.
Gay sex is already illegal in Uganda but backbenchers there are pushing for more draconian punishment by preying on fears that homosexuals are "recruiting" children at schools.
Though observers believe President Yoweri Museveni was beaten back by the level of international opprobrium, a march against homosexuality in Uganda last month attracted 2,000 supporters.
The British government is concerned by a wave of anti-gay sentiment sweeping Africa that has also put pressure on homosexual people in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Nigeria.
Besides rescinding the visa of the backbencher, other options considered have been blocking aid to the Ugandan government. The government has switched its strategy to individual visa blocking amidst signs that threats to withhold aid backfire.
Bishop Joseph Bvumbwe, chairman of the Malawi Council of Churches, has accused western donors of trying to use aid as a bait to force Malawi to legalise homosexuality.
British officials have already rescinded the visas of those involved in the Kenyan election riots and members of the Zimbabwean government.
The Guardian
Monday, 19 April 2010
Neo-Nazi music festival goes ahead without incident (Australia)
A music festival held by a white supremacist group went ahead without incident on the Gold Coast at the weekend, police say.
Local police expressed concern prior to the event, which was held at an unannounced location on Saturday.
Officers planned to patrol the area near the festival, but a police spokesperson said there were no incidents reported in relation to the event.
The Queensland chapter of the Southern Cross Hammer Skinheads had distributed flyers for the white pride gathering, Hammered, sponsored by Gold Coast neo-Nazi groups Crew 38 and Blood and Honour.
Advertising did not name the venue, but interested festival-goers were asked to email the organiser, known only as Tattooed Aryan.
The organiser would then give interested parties details of a "meet and greet" gathering at which the festival's exact location would be disclosed, it said.
Tattooed Aryan promoted the event as a week of "sun, surf and racialist music" on the SCHS website.
SCHS claims its goals can be summed up by its mission: "We must secure the existence of our people and a future for White Children".
Gold Coast City Council or police could not prevent the event, held on private property, from taking place.
An anti-racism protest was held on Saturday at The Spit on the Gold Coast, in protest of the SCHS festival.
The Gold Coast Bulletin reported a group of about 30 men and women wearing clothing with the slogan 'Blood and Honour' had dined at suburban restaurant Ashmore Steak and Seafood Restaurant on Friday night.
Staff reportedly seated other patrons away from the group, whose clothing bore swastikas.
The German branch of Blood and Honour was banned in Germany 10 years ago for spreading Nazi messages.
At that time, the German government said members of the group had been arrested after a series of attacks on foreigners inspired by music played at concerts organised by the group.
Brisbane times
Local police expressed concern prior to the event, which was held at an unannounced location on Saturday.
Officers planned to patrol the area near the festival, but a police spokesperson said there were no incidents reported in relation to the event.
The Queensland chapter of the Southern Cross Hammer Skinheads had distributed flyers for the white pride gathering, Hammered, sponsored by Gold Coast neo-Nazi groups Crew 38 and Blood and Honour.
Advertising did not name the venue, but interested festival-goers were asked to email the organiser, known only as Tattooed Aryan.
The organiser would then give interested parties details of a "meet and greet" gathering at which the festival's exact location would be disclosed, it said.
Tattooed Aryan promoted the event as a week of "sun, surf and racialist music" on the SCHS website.
SCHS claims its goals can be summed up by its mission: "We must secure the existence of our people and a future for White Children".
Gold Coast City Council or police could not prevent the event, held on private property, from taking place.
An anti-racism protest was held on Saturday at The Spit on the Gold Coast, in protest of the SCHS festival.
The Gold Coast Bulletin reported a group of about 30 men and women wearing clothing with the slogan 'Blood and Honour' had dined at suburban restaurant Ashmore Steak and Seafood Restaurant on Friday night.
Staff reportedly seated other patrons away from the group, whose clothing bore swastikas.
The German branch of Blood and Honour was banned in Germany 10 years ago for spreading Nazi messages.
At that time, the German government said members of the group had been arrested after a series of attacks on foreigners inspired by music played at concerts organised by the group.
Brisbane times
Leicestershire BNP candidate is former National Front member
A BNP candidate is a former National Front member with a criminal conviction, it has emerged.
Ian Meller, who is standing in North West Leicestershire, was fined £400 for carrying an offensive weapon – a plank of wood – at a gay rights march.
Mr Meller now says he "regrets" the incident, which happened in 2000, and left the National Front shortly afterwards.
But he said he did not view the party as extremist.
Mr Meller said he picked up a roofing lath at the march in Humberstone Gate, Leicester, in self-defence
He said: "There were four people arrested and I was one of them – the rest were members of the Anti-Nazi League.
"The wood was lying in the road – I was there because we were against gay relationships being promoted in schools.
"It was unfortunate, but it was momentary, I wasn't on my own and I regret what happened.
"To be honest, that incident opened my eyes and I left the National Front shortly after that because I could see street demonstrations couldn't get us anywhere."
Mr Meller – who was fined £400 and ordered to pay £55 costs after admitting carrying an offensive weapon, was a member of the National Front from 1995 to 2000.
Its policies include outlawing homosexuality and abortion, alongside the forced repatriation of immigrants.
He said: "I joined the National Front because at the time I had concerns about immigration and jobs.
"The National Front wasn't an extremist party, and if they were, then I certainly wasn't one.
"The BNP and the National Front differ now because we (the BNP) don't want to send anybody back, we want to stop immigration but we don't support compulsory repatriation, it's voluntary."
The Mercury asked Mr Meller about the BNP's policies – which include re-introducing the death penalty and preventing the teaching of gay relationships in schools.
He said: "I'm not here to pass judgement as to who should receive capital punishment, but in my grandfather's day, if there was a murder, you knew there was going to be a hanging.
"In terms of gay people, the BNP's view is what you get up to in your own house, we don't want to know about it at all.
"What we are against is using public money to fund things like gay marches.
"I'm a Christian and my own view is marriage is between a man and a woman and it's for bringing up a family.
"I wouldn't outlaw homosexuality because we are all equal."
"In terms of immigration – my area of Whitwick has seen a lot of 'white flight', where people are moving away from Leicester because they feel they don't have an identity anymore. They don't want to bring a child up where three different languages are spoken in the classroom."
A spokesman for anti-fascist organisation Searchlight said: "If he doesn't regard the National Front as an extremist party, I wouldn't like to bump into representatives of a party he does regard as extreme.
"This is indicative of Nick Griffin's BNP – he aims to promote a non-violent and moderate face to his organisation but the reality is that the BNP is still populated by extreme views."
The Leicester Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Centre in Wellington Street was unavailable for comment.
The BNP is fielding candidates in every seat in Leicestershire and Rutland.
this is leicestershire
Ian Meller, who is standing in North West Leicestershire, was fined £400 for carrying an offensive weapon – a plank of wood – at a gay rights march.
Mr Meller now says he "regrets" the incident, which happened in 2000, and left the National Front shortly afterwards.
But he said he did not view the party as extremist.
Mr Meller said he picked up a roofing lath at the march in Humberstone Gate, Leicester, in self-defence
He said: "There were four people arrested and I was one of them – the rest were members of the Anti-Nazi League.
"The wood was lying in the road – I was there because we were against gay relationships being promoted in schools.
"It was unfortunate, but it was momentary, I wasn't on my own and I regret what happened.
"To be honest, that incident opened my eyes and I left the National Front shortly after that because I could see street demonstrations couldn't get us anywhere."
Mr Meller – who was fined £400 and ordered to pay £55 costs after admitting carrying an offensive weapon, was a member of the National Front from 1995 to 2000.
Its policies include outlawing homosexuality and abortion, alongside the forced repatriation of immigrants.
He said: "I joined the National Front because at the time I had concerns about immigration and jobs.
"The National Front wasn't an extremist party, and if they were, then I certainly wasn't one.
"The BNP and the National Front differ now because we (the BNP) don't want to send anybody back, we want to stop immigration but we don't support compulsory repatriation, it's voluntary."
The Mercury asked Mr Meller about the BNP's policies – which include re-introducing the death penalty and preventing the teaching of gay relationships in schools.
He said: "I'm not here to pass judgement as to who should receive capital punishment, but in my grandfather's day, if there was a murder, you knew there was going to be a hanging.
"In terms of gay people, the BNP's view is what you get up to in your own house, we don't want to know about it at all.
"What we are against is using public money to fund things like gay marches.
"I'm a Christian and my own view is marriage is between a man and a woman and it's for bringing up a family.
"I wouldn't outlaw homosexuality because we are all equal."
"In terms of immigration – my area of Whitwick has seen a lot of 'white flight', where people are moving away from Leicester because they feel they don't have an identity anymore. They don't want to bring a child up where three different languages are spoken in the classroom."
A spokesman for anti-fascist organisation Searchlight said: "If he doesn't regard the National Front as an extremist party, I wouldn't like to bump into representatives of a party he does regard as extreme.
"This is indicative of Nick Griffin's BNP – he aims to promote a non-violent and moderate face to his organisation but the reality is that the BNP is still populated by extreme views."
The Leicester Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Centre in Wellington Street was unavailable for comment.
The BNP is fielding candidates in every seat in Leicestershire and Rutland.
this is leicestershire
Far-Right Suspected in Attack on Ryazan Human Rights Activist
Men screaming racist rhetoric attacked a prominent human rights activist in Ryazan, Russia according to an April 10, 2010 report posted on the opposition web site Kasparov.ru. Pyotr Ivanov, who works for the NGOs "Memorial" and the Ryazan Human Rights School, was assaulted on April 10 by three men who aggressively asked him,
"Are you Russian or not?!"
At least one of the assailants had a shaven head. A passing police patrol scared off the attackers, but so far
police have detained no suspects.
UCSJ
"Are you Russian or not?!"
At least one of the assailants had a shaven head. A passing police patrol scared off the attackers, but so far
police have detained no suspects.
UCSJ
English Democrats launch election campaign in Dartford
The police community liaison officer is wearing the pained expression of a man sent to sort out a domestic dispute.
"We are just concerned for your safety," he keeps saying. "I don't want to get into a political debate."
It's probably a bit too late for that.
On Saturday thousands of Sikhs took to the streets of Gravesend, in Kent, to celebrate Vaisakhi, the Sikh New Year Festival.
It is also the day that the English Democrat party have chosen to launch their general election campaign a few miles away in Dartford.
After they have finished handing out leaflets in Dartford town centre, the English Democrats plan to head over to Gravesend in their battle bus - a white van with large Cross of St George posters on either side and a PA system belting out Jerusalem.
The police are concerned this might be seen as a bit provocative.
"There are 15,000 Sikhs travelling through Gravesend today," says the young liaison officer, who in his black bomber jacket could easily be mistaken for one of the English Democrat activists.
"People might see the flag of St George and get the wrong idea."
'Discrimination'
"We've got Sikh candidates," says Steve Uncles, the English Democrats' national coordinator, who has taken on the role of peace maker.
Would the SNP or Plaid Cymru be treated this way?, he asks. He reassures the officer that the party are not racists, it even says so on their battle bus, and they are not looking for trouble, just trying to exercise their democratic right.
Suitably mollified, the officer and his colleague hand Mr Uncles a card and tell him to phone them if they get any trouble.
"We've never had this before. I am quite surprised to be honest," says the party chairman Robin Tilbrook. "What we do get quite regularly is discrimination from officialdom against the use of the E word."
He means English. The English Democrats, who are fielding more than 100 candidates at the general election, believe they are the only party out there speaking up for England.
But they are also very keen to stress that they are a moderate organisation, which draws support from across the political spectrum.
"We are not just about one race. One of the reasons the BNP attack us is that we have non-white candidates. They are not about Englishness," says Robin Tilbrook.
"Englishness is something in the heart, not something in the skin."
The party, which campaigns for an English Parliament, like the ones in Scotland and Wales, gained 280,000 votes at last year's European elections and is fielding more than 100 candidates across England on 6 May.
Opinion polls suggest the majority of people in England support an English Parliament - and the party clearly believes that if it only got a bit more airtime from the broadcasters they would be serious contenders.
It is easy to see why they believe they are on the verge of a breakthrough. Their patriotism and tough line on immigration plays well with voters out shopping in the brilliant spring sunshine in Dartford.
Eurosceptics
The problem is that, with the British National Party and the UK Independence Party also banging the Eurosceptic drum, it is a crowded field.
"We would prefer it if UKIP were not standing," admits Mr Uncles.
The party has done a deal with the Christian Party and The Jury Team, the umbrella group of independents backed by former Tory grandee Sir Paul Judge, so that they will not stand against each other.
But efforts to reach a similar accommodation with UKIP, which would have seen just one Eurosceptic candidate in every constituency across the UK, came to nothing.
Nevertheless, every candidate at the launch seemed to have little doubt that they will be elected on 6 May.
Dr Peter Thorogood, who is standing in Romford, says Thursday's TV debate has "done us a whole lot of good", as it has got people interested in the election, he tells me, before pointing with pride to the line on his leaflet that says "a man of integrity".
Robin Tilbrook says he hopes the party can gain three MPs.
As he is preparing for a TV interview, he is keen to avoid standing in front of the Union Flags that are fluttering in the breeze on one of the market stalls.
The Cross of St George is the only flag for him.
"This is our flag and it has been hijacked by people who want to turn it into some kind of racist symbol and we want to take it back," he explains.
BBC News
"We are just concerned for your safety," he keeps saying. "I don't want to get into a political debate."
It's probably a bit too late for that.
On Saturday thousands of Sikhs took to the streets of Gravesend, in Kent, to celebrate Vaisakhi, the Sikh New Year Festival.
It is also the day that the English Democrat party have chosen to launch their general election campaign a few miles away in Dartford.
After they have finished handing out leaflets in Dartford town centre, the English Democrats plan to head over to Gravesend in their battle bus - a white van with large Cross of St George posters on either side and a PA system belting out Jerusalem.
The police are concerned this might be seen as a bit provocative.
"There are 15,000 Sikhs travelling through Gravesend today," says the young liaison officer, who in his black bomber jacket could easily be mistaken for one of the English Democrat activists.
"People might see the flag of St George and get the wrong idea."
'Discrimination'
"We've got Sikh candidates," says Steve Uncles, the English Democrats' national coordinator, who has taken on the role of peace maker.
Would the SNP or Plaid Cymru be treated this way?, he asks. He reassures the officer that the party are not racists, it even says so on their battle bus, and they are not looking for trouble, just trying to exercise their democratic right.
Suitably mollified, the officer and his colleague hand Mr Uncles a card and tell him to phone them if they get any trouble.
"We've never had this before. I am quite surprised to be honest," says the party chairman Robin Tilbrook. "What we do get quite regularly is discrimination from officialdom against the use of the E word."
He means English. The English Democrats, who are fielding more than 100 candidates at the general election, believe they are the only party out there speaking up for England.
But they are also very keen to stress that they are a moderate organisation, which draws support from across the political spectrum.
"We are not just about one race. One of the reasons the BNP attack us is that we have non-white candidates. They are not about Englishness," says Robin Tilbrook.
"Englishness is something in the heart, not something in the skin."
The party, which campaigns for an English Parliament, like the ones in Scotland and Wales, gained 280,000 votes at last year's European elections and is fielding more than 100 candidates across England on 6 May.
Opinion polls suggest the majority of people in England support an English Parliament - and the party clearly believes that if it only got a bit more airtime from the broadcasters they would be serious contenders.
It is easy to see why they believe they are on the verge of a breakthrough. Their patriotism and tough line on immigration plays well with voters out shopping in the brilliant spring sunshine in Dartford.
Eurosceptics
The problem is that, with the British National Party and the UK Independence Party also banging the Eurosceptic drum, it is a crowded field.
"We would prefer it if UKIP were not standing," admits Mr Uncles.
The party has done a deal with the Christian Party and The Jury Team, the umbrella group of independents backed by former Tory grandee Sir Paul Judge, so that they will not stand against each other.
But efforts to reach a similar accommodation with UKIP, which would have seen just one Eurosceptic candidate in every constituency across the UK, came to nothing.
Nevertheless, every candidate at the launch seemed to have little doubt that they will be elected on 6 May.
Dr Peter Thorogood, who is standing in Romford, says Thursday's TV debate has "done us a whole lot of good", as it has got people interested in the election, he tells me, before pointing with pride to the line on his leaflet that says "a man of integrity".
Robin Tilbrook says he hopes the party can gain three MPs.
As he is preparing for a TV interview, he is keen to avoid standing in front of the Union Flags that are fluttering in the breeze on one of the market stalls.
The Cross of St George is the only flag for him.
"This is our flag and it has been hijacked by people who want to turn it into some kind of racist symbol and we want to take it back," he explains.
BBC News
Immigration is not fuel for BNP support
Higher immigration to an area is not to blame for driving the voters into the arms of the BNP, according to a study exploring the roots of its support published today.
In fact, the analysis by the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) finds that nine out of the top 10 areas for BNP votes actually has a lower than average proportion of recent migrants.
Instead the study which looked at the roots of BNP support across 150 local authority areas suggests that social exclusion, such as lack of qualifications, weak social cohesion and low levels of voter turnout are far more important.
The IPPR researchers say findings show that the idea that politicians need to adopt ever-tougher immigration controls to undermine the BNP is misleading. Instead they need to work harder to build strong communities, strong education systems and rebuild trust in democratic politics so that "marginalised and isolated" people do not feel so disconnected.
The researchers say that the BNP leader, Nick Griffin, argues that in many working-class and lower middle-class areas immigration has brought in so many people that they "totally swamp the existing people …destroying their communities" and leading them to support his party.
"The findings suggest that areas which have higher levels of recent immigration are not more likely to vote for the BNP," says the study. "In fact the more immigration an area has experienced, the lower its support for the far right. It seems that direct contact with migrants dissuades people from supporting the BNP. For example, of the 10 local authorities where the BNP gained most support in the 2009 European elections, nine had lower than average immigration," says the study.
Barking and Dagenham, which has had significantly higher levels of recent migration, is the exception rather than the rule, say the researchers. The study found however that Stoke-on-Trent, Thurrock and Barnsley, which are ranked second, third and fourth in the list of the top 10 BNP share of the vote areas, all have lower than average immigration.
By contrast the three local areas with the lowest levels of social "resilience" in the country, Sandwell, Barking and Dagenham and Stoke-on-Trent, are all found in the top 10 for BNP votes.
The researchers' analysis suggests that the more "resilient" a community is the less likely it is to vote BNP.
They measure social resilience of communities by their ability to withstand and adapt in response to shocks and include indicators such as unemployment, level of skills and qualifications, ability to influence local decisions, crime, health, business survival rate and voter turnout. As examples they name Richmond-upon-Thames and Wokingham as the two most resilient communities in the country.
The IPPR calculates that, based on the 2009 European election results, the top 10 most resilient communities in the UK cast fewer votes for the BNP put together than the average UK local authority.
The study acknowledges that immigration is a matter of concern to the British people and has had some negative effects on parts of the UK but say that where people have had significant direct contact with migrants, most are not concerned enough with immigration to vote for the BNP.
The researchers say the implication of their finding that isolation and dejection rather than immigration is driving voters into the hands of the BNP should give politicians and commentators the confidence to resist the idea that much tougher border controls must be introduced in order to regain public support.
"Mainstream politicians need to work harder to build strong communities and strong education systems, and to rebuild trust and confidence in democratic politics so marginalised and vulnerable people do not feel so disconnected," it concludes. "Doing so should allow them to serve the interests of these communities more effectively, and in the process, undercut support for the BNP."
The Guardian
In fact, the analysis by the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) finds that nine out of the top 10 areas for BNP votes actually has a lower than average proportion of recent migrants.
Instead the study which looked at the roots of BNP support across 150 local authority areas suggests that social exclusion, such as lack of qualifications, weak social cohesion and low levels of voter turnout are far more important.
The IPPR researchers say findings show that the idea that politicians need to adopt ever-tougher immigration controls to undermine the BNP is misleading. Instead they need to work harder to build strong communities, strong education systems and rebuild trust in democratic politics so that "marginalised and isolated" people do not feel so disconnected.
The researchers say that the BNP leader, Nick Griffin, argues that in many working-class and lower middle-class areas immigration has brought in so many people that they "totally swamp the existing people …destroying their communities" and leading them to support his party.
"The findings suggest that areas which have higher levels of recent immigration are not more likely to vote for the BNP," says the study. "In fact the more immigration an area has experienced, the lower its support for the far right. It seems that direct contact with migrants dissuades people from supporting the BNP. For example, of the 10 local authorities where the BNP gained most support in the 2009 European elections, nine had lower than average immigration," says the study.
Barking and Dagenham, which has had significantly higher levels of recent migration, is the exception rather than the rule, say the researchers. The study found however that Stoke-on-Trent, Thurrock and Barnsley, which are ranked second, third and fourth in the list of the top 10 BNP share of the vote areas, all have lower than average immigration.
By contrast the three local areas with the lowest levels of social "resilience" in the country, Sandwell, Barking and Dagenham and Stoke-on-Trent, are all found in the top 10 for BNP votes.
The researchers' analysis suggests that the more "resilient" a community is the less likely it is to vote BNP.
They measure social resilience of communities by their ability to withstand and adapt in response to shocks and include indicators such as unemployment, level of skills and qualifications, ability to influence local decisions, crime, health, business survival rate and voter turnout. As examples they name Richmond-upon-Thames and Wokingham as the two most resilient communities in the country.
The IPPR calculates that, based on the 2009 European election results, the top 10 most resilient communities in the UK cast fewer votes for the BNP put together than the average UK local authority.
The study acknowledges that immigration is a matter of concern to the British people and has had some negative effects on parts of the UK but say that where people have had significant direct contact with migrants, most are not concerned enough with immigration to vote for the BNP.
The researchers say the implication of their finding that isolation and dejection rather than immigration is driving voters into the hands of the BNP should give politicians and commentators the confidence to resist the idea that much tougher border controls must be introduced in order to regain public support.
"Mainstream politicians need to work harder to build strong communities and strong education systems, and to rebuild trust and confidence in democratic politics so marginalised and vulnerable people do not feel so disconnected," it concludes. "Doing so should allow them to serve the interests of these communities more effectively, and in the process, undercut support for the BNP."
The Guardian
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Neo-Nazis protest against immigrants in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES — About 100 members of a self-described neo-Nazi group protested against immigrants to the United States on Saturday, sparking a counter-rally that drew about 500 people.
The black-clad neo-Nazis were met by members of Hispanic, black and gay community groups who shouted "Racists Go Home" and "Stop the Nazis."
The group, which calls itself the National Socialist Movement, requested and received a city parade permit for a white power demonstration at City Hall.
"It's just one group of racists protesting another group of racists," said one police officer.
Some of the counter protestors waved signs reading "Nazi scum."
Los Angeles is among the most diverse cities in the United States, with 44 percent of the population of Hispanic origin or descent. Most Americans nationwide are still of European descent but California has no majority ethnic group.
The black-clad neo-Nazis were met by members of Hispanic, black and gay community groups who shouted "Racists Go Home" and "Stop the Nazis."
The group, which calls itself the National Socialist Movement, requested and received a city parade permit for a white power demonstration at City Hall.
"It's just one group of racists protesting another group of racists," said one police officer.
Some of the counter protestors waved signs reading "Nazi scum."
Los Angeles is among the most diverse cities in the United States, with 44 percent of the population of Hispanic origin or descent. Most Americans nationwide are still of European descent but California has no majority ethnic group.
BNP excluded from debate
And Mike Ashburner, the BNP’s parliamentary candidate, has slammed the snub as being made by “typical limp-wristed charlatans.”
All the other general election candidates set to contest the Barrow and Furness seat are invited to the “Question Time” on Sunday, April 25.
So while Mr Ashburner has been left out in the cold, there will be appearances by John Woodcock (Labour), John Gough (Conservative), Barry Rabone (Liberal Democrats), Chris Loynes (Green Party), John Smith (UKIP) and Brian Greaves (Independent).
The event has been organised – as at previous general elections – by Churches Together in Barrow and will this time be staged in The Abbey Road Baptist Church.
The organisation’s secretary Margaret Evason, of St James’ Anglican Church in Barrow, said the hard-line stance on the BNP was their decision to make but followed national guidelines.
Churches Together in England recently stated that, while most churches stayed away from instructing people on how to vote, the racist policies and philosophy of the British National Party were incompatible with Christian faith.
Mrs Evason said: “We felt that if the BNP candidate was invited then some people would not turn up at the debate who might otherwise have come.”
She added that questions should be sent in advance in writing to Reverend John Goddard, of 27 Carlton Avenue, Barrow or by emailing: jmgoddard@tinyworld.co.uk. The debate, which starts at 3pm, will be chaired by former Barrow Town Clerk Derek Lyon with further information available from Mrs Evason – wife of the Reverend Stuart Evason – on 821475.
Mr Ashburner last night told the Evening Mail the decision was disappointing but predictable.
He added: “It is what you expect from the typical limp-wristed charlatans that masquerade as Christians these days.
“They are only too willing to bend over backwards to our Muslim colonisers and convert their churches to mosques at the earliest convenience.
“It will be a peculiar event indeed, without the only party that stands up for our Christian heritage.
“Clearly, Margaret Evason doesn’t believe in democracy and hates free speech.”
David Edmonson, Minister for Vickerstown and Millom Methodist Churches, has also entered the debate.
Writing his Christian Comment in tonight’s Evening Mail, he says the Barrow churches feel that showing an interest in political matters is a natural part of following Jesus.
But Reverend Edmonson points out that the Millom churches decided not to hold a similar meeting because they did not want to run the risk of being associated with any particular party.
He adds: “On the whole I think I side with the Barrow decision: I don’t think Christians can avoid election politics – even if we’d sometimes like to.”
NWEMail
BNP man's home paid for by German embassy
The London organiser of the BNP is the husband of a German Embassy diplomat and benefits from accommodation and allowances provided by the German taxpayer, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal.
The London organiser of the BNP is the husband of a German embassy diplomat and benefits from accommodation and allowances provided by the German taxpayer.
Bob Bailey also enjoys some diplomatic immunity as the family member of an envoy - though this is limited as he remains a British citizen.
He married Martina Borgfeldt in Australia in 1999 after meeting her while serving in the Royal Marines in Africa. The latest issue of the Diplomatic List shows she is an "assistant attaché" at the German embassy.
Mr Bailey is leader of the opposition on Barking and Dagenham Council, which he hopes to take control of at next month's elections.
He gives his main home as an address in Barking and Dagenham, east London, but lives in embassy-provided accommodation in west London. This appears to breach rules which say that council candidates must live or work in the same borough.
One source close to the embassy said that Mr Bailey had never told his wife that he was a BNP leader and she found out when confronted recently by her superiors.
Mr Bailey yesterday refused to deny this, or his marriage to Mrs Borgfeldt, or that he lived with her in a home paid for by the German embassy, though he insisted he did live in Barking.
The Telegraph
Bob Bailey also enjoys some diplomatic immunity as the family member of an envoy - though this is limited as he remains a British citizen.
He married Martina Borgfeldt in Australia in 1999 after meeting her while serving in the Royal Marines in Africa. The latest issue of the Diplomatic List shows she is an "assistant attaché" at the German embassy.
Mr Bailey is leader of the opposition on Barking and Dagenham Council, which he hopes to take control of at next month's elections.
He gives his main home as an address in Barking and Dagenham, east London, but lives in embassy-provided accommodation in west London. This appears to breach rules which say that council candidates must live or work in the same borough.
One source close to the embassy said that Mr Bailey had never told his wife that he was a BNP leader and she found out when confronted recently by her superiors.
Mr Bailey yesterday refused to deny this, or his marriage to Mrs Borgfeldt, or that he lived with her in a home paid for by the German embassy, though he insisted he did live in Barking.
The Telegraph
Saturday, 17 April 2010
Neo-Nazi clothing label Thor Steinar sues satirical copycat
Since December 2008 Storch Heinar, or “Stork Heinar,” has mocked the neo-Nazi scene with t-shirts and other products bearing the image of an awkward cartoon stork with a Hitler-style moustache and hairdo. The label funds the Social Democratic activist organisation Endstation Rechts, which aims to fight right-wing extremism in the state of Mecklenburg Western-Pomerania.
The tongue-in-cheek label has apparently done so well that now Thor Steinar’s parent company MediaTex is taking them to court on June 23 in Nürnberg-Fürth.
Storch Heinar organisers don’t deny the label apes Thor Steinar’s identity.
“We want to highlight that the brand ‘Thor Steinar’ has a high status and symbolic significance in the scene,” said one of the project’s initiators, Mathias Brodkorb, a Social Democrat and Mecklenburg Western-Pomerania state parliamentarian.
Brodkorb says he has frequent run-ins with parliamentarians for the neo-Nazi NPD party, which has had six seats in the state legislature in Schwerin since 2006.
The t-shirts, mugs, and even dog outfits bearing Storch Heinar’s image have sold throughout Europe, Brodkorb said, describing the silly stork as a “poor bastard.”
MediaTex, based in the Brandenburg city of Zeesen, apparently tried to trademark the Storch Heinar name soon after the t-shirts appeared, but was rejected and followed up with a lawsuit against the activist group.
The company, known for being litigious, acknowledged it had initiated the lawsuit but refused to comment on the case.
But Brodkorb said Endstation Rechts won’t bow to the legal pressure, and has instead launched a new t-shirt series to boost funding for legal costs. The shirts indicate that the purchaser is a Weltkriegsverliererbesieger, or “World War loser conqueror.”
“However the trial goes, we’ll figure out how to keep the clothing shop open,” he said.
The Local Germany
Police issue web warning following hate crime attack (UK)
Police have issued a warning about meeting people through internet chat rooms after a man was attacked in Leicestershire
Police have issued a warning about meeting people through internet chat rooms after a man was attacked in Leicestershire.
The 50-year-old victim had arranged to meet a man at a park in Burbage on Sunday evening after initially meeting him via an internet chat room for gay men, the Peterborough Telegraph reported.
But when he got to the park in Colts Close he was approached by four men who demanded he hand over his money.
The victim was then hit a number of times until he told his assailants he did not have any cash, police said.
He had suffered injuries to his face and head and was taken by ambulance to Leicester Royal Infirmary for treatment.
After the attack it was discovered that his car had been damaged and the front driver’s side window smashed.
Leicestershire Police said they believe the man was set up by the suspects via the chat line for gay men that he had been using and that he was targeted because of his sexual preference.
Officers hope to interview the occupants of two cars in the nearby car park after the attack who asked the victim if he was OK before driving off.
Detective Constable Pete Watson said: “It is appalling to think that this man was purposely targeted because of his sexual orientation and we want the suspects to know that it is not something that we will tolerate.”
He added: “We are determined to find the four men responsible and are appealing to members of the public for their help in finding and identifying them.”
Pink Paper
Police have issued a warning about meeting people through internet chat rooms after a man was attacked in Leicestershire.
The 50-year-old victim had arranged to meet a man at a park in Burbage on Sunday evening after initially meeting him via an internet chat room for gay men, the Peterborough Telegraph reported.
But when he got to the park in Colts Close he was approached by four men who demanded he hand over his money.
The victim was then hit a number of times until he told his assailants he did not have any cash, police said.
He had suffered injuries to his face and head and was taken by ambulance to Leicester Royal Infirmary for treatment.
After the attack it was discovered that his car had been damaged and the front driver’s side window smashed.
Leicestershire Police said they believe the man was set up by the suspects via the chat line for gay men that he had been using and that he was targeted because of his sexual preference.
Officers hope to interview the occupants of two cars in the nearby car park after the attack who asked the victim if he was OK before driving off.
Detective Constable Pete Watson said: “It is appalling to think that this man was purposely targeted because of his sexual orientation and we want the suspects to know that it is not something that we will tolerate.”
He added: “We are determined to find the four men responsible and are appealing to members of the public for their help in finding and identifying them.”
Pink Paper
HOLOCAUST-DENYING BISHOP FINED BY GERMAN COURT
A renegade British bishop has been fined 10,000 euros (£8,750) for denying the Holocaust in a case that has acutely embarrassed the Vatican. The case went ahead in a German court without Richard Williamson, whose breakaway Catholic fraternity told him not to testify, his lawyer said. Denying that the Holocaust took place, or questioning key elements, is illegal in Germany. The bishop acknowledged the offending comments in a statement read in court. Williamson, 70, was convicted by the court in the southern German city of Regensburg of inciting racial hatred for stating in a TV interview aired in January 2009 that only "200,000 to 300,000 Jews perished in Nazi concentration camps". He also denied the Nazis had used gas chambers. Imposing the fine in the high-profile proceedings on Friday, presiding judge Karin Frahm said: "The statements by the accused represent a denial of the actions taken under the National Socialist regime. "Bishop Williamson must have assumed that his remarks would draw attention. Williamson knowingly accepted that attention." Williamson was fined 12,000 euros (£12,500) earlier this year for giving the interview in Germany to a Swedish broadcaster. The latest trial was ordered after Mr Williamson, who lives in London, refused to pay. He faced a sentence ranging from a fine to up to five years in prison. Williamson's lawyer, Matthias Lossmann told the court: "Bishop Williamson would gladly have come, but the Saint Pius X Society suggested he did not - to be precise, they forbade him from coming."
'Remarks are unacceptable'
The court on Friday heard an excerpt of the interview, in which Williamson is heard telling the interviewer: "Be careful, this is against the law in Germany." The bishop was told the interview would be aired only in Sweden, Mr Lossmann told the court. He said Williamson could not be held criminally responsible for its release in Germany. "That will be the crux of the case here," he said. "We do not even need to discuss the fact that these remarks are unacceptable, that is completely beside the point." Mr Lossmann read a statement by Williamson in which the cleric acknowledged casting doubt on the Holocaust. "I was aware that it is against German law to express such doubts, so I expressed these doubts for exclusive broadcast on Swedish television" where such remarks are legal, he said. The Saint Pius X Society, an ultra-conservative, Swiss-based Catholic fraternity, appointed Williamson a bishop without the pope's blessing after it broke away from Rome over the Vatican II reforms of 1965. Among the reforms rejected by the organisation was a declaration, Nostra Aetate, which ended a Church doctrine by which the Jews were held responsible for killing Jesus Christ. The trial comes at a difficult time for Pope Benedict XVI and the Vatican as a sexual abuse scandal rocks the Catholic church. Hundreds of people have come forward in Germany and other countries around the world, saying they were molested by predatory priests. Bishop Williamson's case prompted a rare comment on religious matters by the German chancellor. Angela Merkel called on Pope Benedict to "clarify unambiguously that there can be no denial" that the Nazis killed six million Jews. Williamson has said he wished to apologise to anyone offended by his comments but has refused to retract his assertions, saying only that he would re-examine the historical evidence.
BBC News
'Remarks are unacceptable'
The court on Friday heard an excerpt of the interview, in which Williamson is heard telling the interviewer: "Be careful, this is against the law in Germany." The bishop was told the interview would be aired only in Sweden, Mr Lossmann told the court. He said Williamson could not be held criminally responsible for its release in Germany. "That will be the crux of the case here," he said. "We do not even need to discuss the fact that these remarks are unacceptable, that is completely beside the point." Mr Lossmann read a statement by Williamson in which the cleric acknowledged casting doubt on the Holocaust. "I was aware that it is against German law to express such doubts, so I expressed these doubts for exclusive broadcast on Swedish television" where such remarks are legal, he said. The Saint Pius X Society, an ultra-conservative, Swiss-based Catholic fraternity, appointed Williamson a bishop without the pope's blessing after it broke away from Rome over the Vatican II reforms of 1965. Among the reforms rejected by the organisation was a declaration, Nostra Aetate, which ended a Church doctrine by which the Jews were held responsible for killing Jesus Christ. The trial comes at a difficult time for Pope Benedict XVI and the Vatican as a sexual abuse scandal rocks the Catholic church. Hundreds of people have come forward in Germany and other countries around the world, saying they were molested by predatory priests. Bishop Williamson's case prompted a rare comment on religious matters by the German chancellor. Angela Merkel called on Pope Benedict to "clarify unambiguously that there can be no denial" that the Nazis killed six million Jews. Williamson has said he wished to apologise to anyone offended by his comments but has refused to retract his assertions, saying only that he would re-examine the historical evidence.
BBC News
NEO-NAZI CUTS DEAL WITH PROSECUTION (Serbia)
A Member of the neo-Nazi organization Nacionalni Stroj has admitted to attacking participants of an anti-fascist forum in Novi Sad. The man, named as Dolf Pospiš, thus made a deal with the prosecution and will spend 16 months in prison. Pospiš admitted to participating in the attack on the forum in Novi Sad in October 2007. According to the deal, which has been accepted by a Novi Sad court with jurisdiction in the case, he will spend 16 months in prison, Public Prosecution Spokesman Tomo Zoriæ confirmed for B92. Several persons sustained minor injuries and several neo-Nazis, including the organization’s leader Goran Davidoviæ, were arrested during the 2007 incident. Davidoviæ is a fugitive recently arrested in Germany, where he was hiding. Serbia has requested his extradition.
B92
B92
Friday, 16 April 2010
Smear complaint by BNP Sedgefield candidate
The BNP candidate for Sedgefield in County Durham has claimed he is the victim of a smear campaign.
Mark Walker said that details of an unemployment tribunal were leaked to the press in a bid to blacken his name.
He was dismissed from his teaching job at Sunnydale Community College in 2008 because of his absenteeism.
He maintained he was sacked because of his BNP membership but an employment tribunal rejected his claim for unfair dismissal in January.
Mr Walker was suspended from his post at Sunnydale Community College in March 2007, after an allegation of misuse of a school computer.
About 18 months later he was sacked on the grounds of his sick record.
He said that he was being discriminated against because he was a member of the BNP and the resultant stress had made him ill.
His case went to an employment tribunal, which ruled in favour of his employers, Durham County Council.
No details were released at the time and Mr Walker described it as "strange" that they should have surfaced in the press so close to the election.
"It is absolutely politically motivated," he said.
"They want to smear my name for the election because I'm standing in Tony Blair's old constituency.
"It's gutter politics."
He added: "I could appeal against the [tribunal's] decision but I've lost my job so cannot afford justice."
Other candidates for Sedgefield so far announced are:
Labour: Phil Wilson; Conservative: Neil Mahapatra; Liberal Democrats: Alan Thompson; UK Independence Party: Brian Gregory.
BBC News
Mark Walker said that details of an unemployment tribunal were leaked to the press in a bid to blacken his name.
He was dismissed from his teaching job at Sunnydale Community College in 2008 because of his absenteeism.
He maintained he was sacked because of his BNP membership but an employment tribunal rejected his claim for unfair dismissal in January.
Mr Walker was suspended from his post at Sunnydale Community College in March 2007, after an allegation of misuse of a school computer.
About 18 months later he was sacked on the grounds of his sick record.
He said that he was being discriminated against because he was a member of the BNP and the resultant stress had made him ill.
His case went to an employment tribunal, which ruled in favour of his employers, Durham County Council.
No details were released at the time and Mr Walker described it as "strange" that they should have surfaced in the press so close to the election.
"It is absolutely politically motivated," he said.
"They want to smear my name for the election because I'm standing in Tony Blair's old constituency.
"It's gutter politics."
He added: "I could appeal against the [tribunal's] decision but I've lost my job so cannot afford justice."
Other candidates for Sedgefield so far announced are:
Labour: Phil Wilson; Conservative: Neil Mahapatra; Liberal Democrats: Alan Thompson; UK Independence Party: Brian Gregory.
BBC News
BNP candidate's husband in drugs arrest
Unemployed Clifford Baddeley, aged 49, of Holehouse Road, Abbey Hulton, who is a BNP member, was arrested last month on suspicion of possessing cannabis.
Days later, police also searched the semi-detached house he shares with his wife Melanie.
She is a BNP city councillor who is standing as the party's Parliamentary candidate for the Stoke-on-Trent North constituency.
Mr Baddeley has not been charged with any offences, but remains on police bail while officers complete their investigation.
His wife said yesterday that she was aware of her husband's arrest, but had not told party chiefs about the situation.
The Abbey Green ward member said: "I haven't told the party, because it's nothing to do with me; it's his problem, not mine. I was very upset and annoyed with him when I found out about his arrest, and I still am because I wasn't aware what was happening at the time.
"He is on police bail at the moment and the police did come and search my house, but didn't find anything."
She added: "My husband did smoke cannabis for medical reasons, but as far as I'm concerned, I'm carrying on as normal with my election campaign."
Mr Baddeley admitted that he used to smoke the drug to relieve the pain of chronic arthritis.
He said: "I know that the BNP disapproves of drug use, but I'm more worried about my wife, who is very anti-drugs.
"She works tirelessly for this community, and it's embarrassing for her that I'm in this situation.
"I've stopped using cannabis, and I'm back on medication, although it doesn't work as well."
Stoke-on-Trent City Council's BNP group leader, Councillor Michael Coleman, was shocked to learn of Mr Baddeley's arrest.
But he said the party would still be backing Mrs Baddeley in the run-up to the General Election.
After being contacted by The Sentinel yesterday, he said: "It is shocking and disappointing. Mr Baddeley is a party member.
"I know he has a serious medical problem and is in pain, and that's why he used cannabis. But I don't approve, and the party doesn't approve of people using drugs in that way.
"We condemn these drugs in our communities and we have to condemn this. However, Melanie didn't know about it and we feel it doesn't affect her.
"It will be damaging for us to some degree, but we like Melanie and will be backing her."
Mrs Baddeley was unveiled as the BNP's Parliamentary candidate in Stoke-on-Trent North in January, when party leader Nick Griffin travelled to the city to unveil his election manifesto in Meir.
Staffordshire Police declined to comment on the investigation.
This is Staffordshire
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