Lord will not meet BNP councillor

A meeting set up to discuss violent extremism in Stoke-on-Trent had to be cancelled after a government advisor refused to meet a BNP councillor.

Lord Kamlesh Patel was in the city as part of a nationwide tour to discuss the subject. However, he said he "made no apology" for refusing to speak to the BNP's city council group leader Alby Walker. Mr Walker said it had been "completely wrong" of Lord Patel to call off the meeting.

Lord Patel is a ministerial advisor to Secretary of State Hazel Blears in the Department for Communities and Local Government.

In a statement he said: "I make no apology for refusing to meet with the BNP during my visit to Stoke. My work is focused on looking at what positive actions local communities can take to prevent extremism. I do not believe that any party with extremist views has anything constructive to contribute to this agenda."

A spokesperson for the department added that Lord Patel worked as an independent advisor as it was down to him to choose who "to meet or not meet". The spokesperson added that these decisions "should not be viewed as a reflection of wider government policy".

The BNP now has a total of nine councillors on Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

Mr Walker said: "It's completely wrong. We are community representatives, we're looking after the interests of the electorate and it's totally undemocratic to ask us not to attend anything for any other reason than political prejudice."

BBC