July 31, 2009

Burnley BNP councillor tried to defraud insurance company

A serving Burnley councillor could face criminal charges after a civil court judge ruled he tried to defraud an insurance company.

Coun. Derek Dawson, the British National Party councillor for Gannow, made a claim against Zurich Insurance which would have initially been worth up to £30,000. The claim related to an accident in 2003 at Zurich customer Mr Stephen Hargreaves' house in Whalley, where it was alleged Coun. Dawson's severely fractured ankle was caused by a ladder being knocked onto his leg by a car driven by Mr Hargreaves.

As it was a civil trial no punishment was handed down by the court, but Zurich was granted permission to pursue Dawson and Hargreaves for Contempt of Court proceedings through the Attorney General. If successful, this will attract a criminal penalty.

But Burnley's BNP leader Coun. Sharon Wilkinson defended Coun. Dawson, calling him "an excellent councillor" and even questioned whether the judge was influenced by Dawson's "political persuasion".

During the case, which began last year before starting again this month, Deputy Circuit Judge John Morgan heard evidence at Burnley County Court, which proved the fracture was caused by Dawson falling off a ladder rather than Hargreaves' car knocking the ladder onto him.

Coun. Wilkinson said: "At the start of the case, the judge was made aware Derek was a BNP councillor. He then chose to believe the evidence of Zurich's expert engineer and not Derek's expert engineer as to how his injuries were caused. Whether the judge was influenced by Derek's political persuasion we can only speculate. Derek is an excellent councillor and I don't think this will affect his position."

But Burnley Council leader, Coun. Gordon Birtwistle called for Coun. Dawson's resignation saying: "Any councillor that attempts to commit fraud is not a fit and proper person to be a councillor."

Mr Stephen Langton, representing Hargreaves, appealed against the judge's decision, which was not granted. Mr Langton and Mr James Hurd, representing Dawson, also appealed against the imposition of court costs, but again the judge found in favour of Zurich. The costs, which are expected to run into tens of thousands of pounds, will be decided later.

Mr Simon McCann, representing Zurich, argued: "Dawson and Hargreaves colluded together to defraud Zurich. Fraudsters should not benefit."

Mr Scott Clayton, claims fraud and investigations manager for Zurich, said: "Fraud is something we take very seriously as this case shows. Unfortunately, some people will go to great lengths to secure financial gain. We challenge fraud because the costs in challenging these cases are spiralling at the expense of the honest customer."

Burnley Express

27 comments:

Corrupt as fuck said...

"But Burnley's BNP leader Coun. Sharon Wilkinson defended Coun. Dawson, calling him "an excellent councillor" and even questioned whether the judge was influenced by Dawson's "political persuasion"."

Yeah, it couldn't possibly be that he's just a con-man and fraudster - just like Nick Griffin in fact.

The BNP - it's just crap! said...

"He then chose to believe the evidence of Zurich's expert engineer and not Derek's expert engineer as to how his injuries were caused."

It's like the difference between taking advice from a fully-trained, honest and experienced barrister, and listening to some insane drivel from the BNP's fake legal expert, the utterly unqualified Lee John Loony.

milton said...

Dawson sounds just the chap to sort out the accounts.

Anonymous said...

If this bozo is forced into bankruptcy because of the costs being charged against him, it could force him out of office. On the other hand, Griffin could send out yet another email asking for donations to "support" this BNP "hero" a la Peter Tierney, the Walker brothers etc etc

Anonymous said...

Rotten like every other piece of shit in the BNP!

Anonymous said...

I really hope he loses and gets sent down. However my experience of insurance companies isn't one of complete admiration. They'll say and do anything to save themselves some money. As for barristers, one side says one thing, the other says the opposite. They can't both be right. I've known some deliberately tell the opposite of what they think is true because they're just delivering a brief.

eric the fish said...

"Please note that no caravans or camper vans are permitted on site, so if you was planning to bring either please make other arrangements."

From another begging email from Nazi Nick. Bloody indigenous folk - can't even speak da langwidge.

Lee barnes LLb hons said...

Look into this mans eyes he has an honest face Unlike the lying face of Gordon Cameron or David brown..

The BNP are the only honest party in the UK

Antifascist said...

'Look into this mans eyes he has an honest face Unlike the lying face of Gordon Cameron or David brown.. The BNP are the only honest party in the UK'

You're just too stupid for words.

Bonkers Barnes said...

Look into this mans eyes he is a liar, a thief and a fraudster.

Anonymous said...

"The BNP are the only honest party in the UK"

This is the same Lee Barnes who is today droning on about little green men.

Anonymous said...

He'll be out. Griffin won't tolerate having a fraudster and con-man in the party - he doesn't like competition.

John P said...

It's not been a very good week all in all for the BNP has it.

Unknown said...

I think some of us need to replenish our irony levels :-)

Barbara said...

One more for the 'crap BNP councillors' folder.

Lee barnes LLb Hons said...

I will not mention bikes again

Anonymous said...

I see Jacob Cobain (who is probably Lee Barnes) is joining in the Brinsley result discussion on Stormshite with this gem

"a shame shady graham cost us a few votes by being a crap cllr"

As far as I can make out, Sadie Grahame was regarded locally as a pretty good councillor considering she was BNP. What a shame that they feel the need to malign one who used to be of their own just as a final stab in the back.

Anonymous said...

I think some of us need to replenish our irony levels :-)

Its all right for you to be snarky but some of us take all this seriously.

Lee barnes LLb Hons said...

I lied earlier I will mention one more thing about bikes and the bravery of Nick Griffin to fight for legislation to fix our own bikes.

Dont forget that most of your supporters are students and therefore ride bikes and when they wont be able to fix their own bikes they will turn to the BNP and Nick griffin because he stood up for all bike lovers in the face of adversity ( Adversity for Nick that is, not students)

he is a clever man and slowly winning not only the support of students but also Boris yeltsin the mayor of London.the only party that will save us from the Islamification of britain is the BNP .

people laughed when we won so many councillor seats in England but I know of one woman who had an oak tree branch hanging over her driveway and the council cut it down thanks to the BNP. Also BNP parish councillors have seen to it that park benches got a new lick of paint during the summer.

remember acorns come from oak trees Oak trees are strong

Dont underestimate the brilliance of Nick griffin

Doctor Proctor said...

"Look into this mans eyes"

I'd rather not - they look like they belong to a corpse.

Anonymous said...

He looks like the kinda guy who would sell your grannys kidney.

jon said...

Can't the standards body deem him unfit to be a councillor?

Antifascist said...

'Can't the standards body deem him unfit to be a councillor?'

They can though I'm not sure if in this case, they'd have to wait for a formal conviction first.

Anonymous said...

Am intersted in Hargreaves, any further info on him? long time ex was named Hargreaves, and right bastard......and comes from that same area.

tulip

poopstix said...

The Burnley BNP have had convicted frauststers, wife beaters and football hooligans, and yet the local voters still vote for these numpties to vote for them to represent them using their taxes in council.

What the fuck is wrong with Burnley voters?

Anonymous said...

poopstix said...
The Burnley BNP have had convicted frauststers, wife beaters and football hooligans....Like the Tranmere manager John Barnes Opps!!

Anonymous said...

I cant believe the devil is all bad is he ?