Anti-BNP activists plan rally at summer event

Left-wing groups are planning a mass protest against a British National Party festival which could take place in Derbyshire for a second year.

BNP member Alan Warner wants to attract thousands of people to Red, White and Blue - which he plans to hold in early August on his fields in Codnor-Denby Lane, Denby. He sent a licensing application to Amber Valley Borough Council to play music and sell alcohol on the site. But left-wing groups say that, if the festival goes ahead, a mass rally would be organised drawing "thousands of people across the region who oppose the BNP."

The action was advertised on the website http://nobnpfestival.wordpress.com/ which has connections with groups such as Searchlight and Antifa UK. These organisations object, among other things, to the BNP's policies of ending immigration to the UK and sending non-whites to their countries of origin.

The website says: "The RWB festival is intended to draw new recruits into the party and consolidate these disgraceful politics. As such, those who oppose the BNP have begun a campaign to stop this year's event from taking place."

Last year, the Evening Telegraph reported that only one man with a "no to racism" sign turned up to protest.

Among those upset at the lack of action was Rev Ken Horleston, vicar for St Clement's Church, in Horsley. He said he felt guilty about not protesting last year and would back a peaceful rally by the anti-fascist groups.

Mr Horleston said: "We are planning a protest from the church perspective as well. The Bible calls on people to 'love thy neighbour' but the BNP's views are in violation of this."

Amber Valley MP Judy Mallaber said she was not prepared to comment on any protest as it was not yet clear whether the festival would go ahead.

Mr Warner said Red, White and Blue would go ahead despite protests and that it was the left-wing groups who were more likely to cause disturbances. He said: "The festival is a peaceful family event."

This is Derbyshire