BNP activist rebailed over 'racist leaflets'

A BNP activist whose name was put to alleged racist leaflets distributed in Lancashire has been rebailed by police probing the incident. Tony Bamber (right), aged 53, of Greenbank Street in Plungington, Preston, was arrested late last year on suspicion of the publication and distribution of written material intended to stir up racial hatred, and the possession of racially inflammatory material.

It has now emerged three other men arrested over the distribution of leaflets in Lancashire which alleged Muslims were responsible for the heroin trade, will not be prosecuted. However, Bamber must answer bail again later this month.

More than 3,000 anti-Muslim leaflets were distributed in Tulketh, Preston, and in the Lancashire villages of Great Eccleston, St Michael's and Chipping, as well as Burnley.

Supporters of the British National Party, including leader Nick Griffin, demonstrated outside Burnley's police station last November following dawn raids which they described as "Gestapo-like". The BNP said two of four men held in the raids were BNP members in the local area.

The leaflet urged people to "heap condemnation" on Muslims and said they should "apologise" over claims they were responsible for 95% of the world's heroin trade.

A photograph of 21-year-old Rachel Whitear - who was found dead holding a syringe at her flat in Exmouth, Devon, in May 2000 - accompanied the literature. Miss Whitear's mother, Pauline Holcroft, of Ledbury, Herefordshire, later told the Lancashire Evening Post she was furious and condemned the way it referred to heroin addicts as "nasty pathetic parasites".

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: "A 41-year-old man from Nelson, a 44-year-old man from Darwen and a 57-year-old man from Nelson were all arrested on suspicion of the publication and distribution of written material intended to stir up racial hatred, and the possession of racially inflammatory material. However, they have now been told they will not face prosecution."

She added a 53-year-old man from Preston arrested on suspicion of the same offences was rebailed until later this month.

Lancashire Evening Post