Vicar backs bid to drive BNP's annual bash from the county

A vicar has called for opposition to British National Party plans to hold its annual festival in Derbyshire for the next two years.

The BNP held Red, White and Blue, near Denby, in July, and wants to hold it there again next year and in 2009. But the Rev Ken Horleston, vicar for St Clement's Church in Horsley, said he believed the festival was bad for Amber Valley. He said he felt guilty for not doing more to stop this year's event and had the backing of the area's other vicars in saying Christians should not support the party.

Mr Horleston, 57, said: "As far as my guilt is concerned, I did nothing to try and stop the Denby event taking place but now wish to make my opposition clear. If Red, White and Blue becomes an annual event I would like to think that not only I but others from the local area would let our voices of objection be heard."

He said the BNP's views on race and immigration went against the view, which was central to Christianity, that people should love one another. The party stands for, among other things, an immediate end to immigration to the UK and the repatriation of Britain's non-whites to their countries of origin.

Mr Horleston said: "The bible calls on people to 'love thy neighbour' but the BNP's views are in violation of this. A person cannot be a practising Christian and vote for the BNP."

The Rev Karen Padley, of All Saints' Church, Marlpool, agreed with Mr Horleston and said she raised objections to Amber Valley Borough Council about this year's festival. She said: "I don't want to see Red, White and Blue held in Derbyshire. I raised objections with the borough council about this year's event because I felt it would be harmful to community spirit. Ethnic minorities in Amber Valley suffer from racism and events like Red, White and Blue only make it worse."

The national press officer for the BNP, Dr Phil Edwards, said vicars should not get involved in politics but Mr Padley maintained it was not unusual for them to do so.

Ms Padley, 39, said: "Throughout history, Christians have been involved in politics when they felt it was right to be so. We were involved in the abolition of the slave trade and, recently, supported the Debt Aid campaign."

Dr Edwards also accused the vicars of contradicting their own beliefs. He said: "The vicars have lost their way. The Bible says that God scattered the nations throughout the world in their own regions. By suggesting multi-racial societies they are going against God's will."

He said that opposition from the church would not stop the BNP holding Red, White and Blue near Denby next year.

Derbyshire Evening Telegraph