Community praised following racist demonstration

A multi-cultural community has been praised for the way it reacted to a racist demonstration. Police have also been applauded for the way in which they dealt with the flash demo outside a Darlington mosque by members of the English Defence League (EDL).

Three people were arrested after about 30 members of the EDL gathered outside the Jamia Mosque on North Lodge Terrace on Saturday at 4.20pm. It is believed they had attempted a similar demonstration in Middlesbrough earlier in the day before moving on to Darlington. The group chanted nationalistic slogans and, according to witnesses, intimidated local residents. However, the group was dispersed by police who arrived in large numbers to control the demonstration and then remained in the area for the rest of the night to prevent any reoccurrence.

Local councillor Eleanor Lister said: "It was obviously very frightening for the community. However, I thought the police handled it brilliantly. The community did the best thing possible by not reacting. I was speaking to some young men in the mosque who were telling them that Islam means peace. Darlington is a peaceful town and we don't want this sort of thing."

One local shop worker said: "They were racists, shouting things like England for the English and go back to your country. These weren't people from Darlington."

Superintendent Paul Unsworth said: "These people (the demonstrators) were acting in a rowdy, abusive and offensive manner and we believe their actions were racially motivated. Officers attended to ensure the crowd dispersed without causing further disruption or disorder."

A 49-year-old man from Redcar was arrested on suspicion of theft and a 40-year-old man from Spennymoor and a 17-year-old from Middlesbrough were arrested on suspicion of causing a public order offence. All three were taken to Darlington police station for questioning.

Last night, Darlington MP Jenny Chapman condemned the demonstration. She said: "This kind of activity is not welcome. I would encourage the police to take the toughest possible line in dealing with people who come to Darlington to cause trouble."

A statement on the North-East EDLs Facebook page posted on Saturday evening read: "Some EDL were walking to a mosque for a flash demo & singing EDL songs, as they got close to the mosque the police issued them with 'section 27' notices & told to leave the area. They are now enjoying the nightlife in Newcastle."

The Advertiser

Thanks to NewsHound for the heads-up

Party suspends BNP row councillor

A Liberal Democrat councillor has been suspended after nominating a BNP candidate for May's local elections. The party's leadership has withdrawn all support for Darlington councillor Stephen Jones, who has quit as leader of the three-strong Lib Dem group.

Daniel Brown, the candidate whose nomination he signed, is one of his rivals in the North Road ward.

The local party said Mr Jones made a mistake but the Tories have called on Sir Menzies Campbell to sack him. Edward Davey, chief of staff to leader Sir Menzies, said: "The Liberal Democrat Party in no way endorses and indeed repudiates the policy platform of the British National Party, whose views we find repugnant in every aspect. At all levels of the party our aim is to defeat the invidious philosophy of the BNP and to campaign actively against them. We will investigate the circumstances of this case immediately and thoroughly."

Mr Jones' local party said the councillor had assured them he had no sympathies with the far-right BNP. He quit as the leader of the group following an emergency meeting last night to discuss the issue.

In a statement, the local party said: "Councillor Jones made an error of judgment in signing the nomination papers of an opposition candidate.

'No excuse'

"In view of his unfortunate mistake, Councillor Jones has resigned as Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group but will continue to seek re-election as a Liberal Democrat based on his record of service to North Road Ward."

The Tories said there was no need for any investigation and demanded Sir Menzies sack Mr Jones immediately. Party chairman Francis Maude said there could be no excuse for a mainstream political party promoting extremism and racism.

He said: "The evidence is there for all to see; Menzies Campbell must get off the fence and sack Steve Jones. He must send a clear message to the rest of his Party that racism will not be tolerated by expelling this councillor from the Liberal Democrats."

BBC