BNP fury as ENTIRE membership list of 10,000 is leaked onto internet and
party threatens legal action
By Michael Lea
Last updated at 10:23 PM on 18th November 2008
The entire membership list of the BNP has been posted on the internet.
More than 10,000 members of the far-Right organisation are listed,
including a serving police officer, a Church of England vicar, members
of the Armed Forces, an actor, leading businessmen and former civil
servants.
Children are also named.
It shows just how deep the message of the far-Right organisation has
penetrated the British political psyche.
And the leak caused huge alarm in companies and public bodies across the
country as they searched the list for employees.
Internet chat sites, meanwhile, were awash with messages from members
whose names, addresses, ages and other 'relevant' information had
appeared, as they feared for their jobs.
One online comment read: 'I'm on the list, I could be chucked out of the
Army. What is going on?'
Another blamed BNP leader Nick Griffin.
It said: 'The membership should demand Griffin stand down over this
breach. He has put thousands of members at risk, and proved unfit to
lead.'
Mr Griffin was said to have reported the incident to police, claiming a
breach of the Human Rights Act.
But Dyfed Powys, which covers Welshpool where the BNP carries out much
of its administration, was unable to confirm that a complaint had been
made.
The party blamed Left-wing groups who may have infiltrated the
organisation for posting the details, which date from late last year.
Another theory is that the list was published by disgruntled former
employees.
Its publication has been prevented under a High Court injunction
obtained in April.
Simon Darby, the BNP's spokesman, said he found out yesterday that the
order had been breached and described the posting as 'malevolent and
spiteful'.
'This is being done to destabilise the party after a successful
conference in Blackpool and before the elections for the European
Parliament in June next year,' he said, claiming that mainstream parties
feared the BNP's growing support.
The membership list, which was password protected and encrypted, had
been stolen from the party, he said. Mr Darby insisted: 'This isn't a
question of us mislaying the information, this is theft.
'It is part of a dirty tricks campaign and a desperate move by our
political opponents. We are sure no true patriot or nationalist would
put the lives of others, including children, at risk.'
He claimed the list contained the names of people who had never been
members of the party as well as the names of current and former members.
'We are worried because kids' names are on the list. It is not
information that should be in the public domain,' he added. 'We are
always receiving death threats.'
The BNP discovered the leak after being alerted by members who had
started receiving unsolicited mail.
The BNP claims it has more than 100 local and parish councillors, the
latest of whom was elected in Boston, Lincolnshire, last week. Race
tensions are high in the town as migrants make up a quarter of the
population.
The party plans to make a major push to win seats in the elections to
the European Parliament next June.
In 2006, it was revealed that Covent Garden ballerina Simone Clarke was
a member of the BNP after the party was infiltrated by an undercover
journalist.
It was claimed that activists are encouraged to use false names while on
party business and instructs them in the use of software to encrypt
emails.
Many of its members, however, are far from the stereotype of the British
far-Right.
According to reports at the time, one is the American chief executive of
a City investment corporation, while another is a servant of the Queen,
living at Buckingham Palace.
Labour MPs Margaret Hodge and Jon Cruddas have repeatedly warned of the
march of the BNP in East London.
Since 2004, police officers have faced dismissal if found to be members
of the BNP.
'This is because such membership would be incompatible with our duty to
promote equality under the Race Relations Amendment Act and would damage
the confidence of minority communities,
of Chief Police Officers said.
The list shows the BNP has attracted support from all corners of the
country and across the social spectrum.
Members include teachers, librarians, solicitors, nurses and linguists.
They list hobbies including landscape painting, hunting, gardening and
church singing.
But religion is not confined to the Church of England - at least one
member is a Quaker.
And living in Britain isn't a requirement of being a member of the
British National Party.
One lives in San Diego in the USA and another in France.
An activist from Stockport in Cheshire in listed as a company director
and another from Rubery in Birmingham works as a private investigator.
Other members include an ex GMB shop steward from Hornchurch in Essex.
A retired solicitor from Wanstead in London is happy to proof read and
edit leaflets and posters.
Another member from Nympsfield in Gloucestershire has a BA in languages
and a masters degree in translation.
A businesswoman from North London speaks French and Italian.
A district nurse from Bideford in Devon is listed as enjoying 'walking,
knitting and helping people in need.'
At least one serving police officer is on the membership list, along
with several retired officers.
It also includes16 servicemen, including a Royal Marines Commando. Among
the 68 members listed as former servicmen are one Chelsea Pensioner,
three Paras, three Guards and two Royal Marines.
Another is listed as a Church of England vicar.
Other members are identified as practicing pagans and one male member is
listed as 'witch'.
http://www.dailymai
membership-list-
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Wednesday, 19 November 2008
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