Fears if BNP conference held in town

A civic leader has warned that trouble could flare if the British National Party holds next year's annual conference in Bournemouth.

Just days after the Tory party announced it had passed up the resort in favour of holding its 2008 conference in Birmingham, the BNP has revealed plans to use the council-owned BIC as a base for next year's convention.

More than 1,000 delegates would attend the event, according to Barry Bennett, Dorset BNP organiser, who has contacted the venue to find out what facilities are available.

But Cllr David Clutterbuck warned that if the BNP came to town it could spark angry scenes. "There will be trouble because so many people are against them," he told the Echo. "What worries me most is the kind of people they will attract; the off-shoots who will be more like rent-a-mobs. I have serious concerns for safety reasons."

Cllr Stephen MacLoughlin, leader of the Conservative group on Bournemouth council, said he was against giving the BNP a platform to promote their views.

"I recognise their right to exist but I'm totally opposed to their policies because, however they dress them up, they are at heart a racist party who, as far as I'm aware, want to see the repatriation of ethnic minorities from Britain."

David Shire, chief officer for Dorset Race Equality Council, also expressed concern. He said: "The BNP is more likely to threaten white people than ethnic minorities.  What frightens me most is that you have a climate where racists feel welcome here. The only way to get rid of the BNP is to change minds."

Responding to concerns, Mr Bennett, who lives in Southbourne, said: "I'm not surprised because politicians love to jump on the bandwagon against the BNP. They call us nasty thugs but they have nothing to back it up with. We deliver leaflets here and the feedback from the local community has been positive. Our members care about their country and are not up for a fight. The Jewish community has nothing to fear from us and fears from other ethnic minorities are also unfounded."

He added: "We've held our annual conference in Blackpool for the past three years and the only people who have caused problems are the protesters who have turned up to wave placards and call us names."

Peter Gunn, managing director at the BIC, said: "The BNP has made a general enquiry about booking the BIC. However, we would certainly not host an event of this nature without giving serious consideration to its suitability. As a council owned venue the BIC is required to consider all potential conference bookings in the context of its clear commitment to equality and diversity. On this basis it is unlikely that we would support the BIC hosting an organisation of this nature."

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