No decision due on BNP festival 'until election complete'

The BNP said it was unlikely to make a final decision on whether to hold its annual festival in Derbyshire until after [this] year's general election

But party spokesman Simon Darby has dropped the biggest hint yet that a venue would be found in a different county.

Red, White and Blue was held for the third consecutive year on fields belonging to party member Alan Warner off Codnor-Denby Lane, Denby, in August. Policing this year's festival, and a protest against it, cost police £500,000 and £250,000 in 2008.

In November the Derby Telegraph reported that two or three alternative venues were being considered. Now Mr Darby has said a final decision is unlikely to be made until after the general election which must be held on or before Thursday, June 3. But he said the protests which came with the event had not been "fair on local people".

He said: "Making the final decision isn't high on our priorities list. But we have a responsibility towards the people who live in the area. Even though it wasn't our fault we are aware it has caused them quite a bit of discomfort."

Organisers of the protest, including [Notts] Stop the BNP and Unite Against Fascism, said their action was necessary. Amber Valley Labour MP, Judy Mallaber, said the festival caused noise and traffic problems.

Derby Telegraph

Salutes at BNP event 'racist act'

Nazi salutes given by two men to people protesting against a British National Party festival were a hostile act referring to genocide, a judge has found

Deputy District Judge John Miller made the point as he found Saville Davies and Hayden Gough guilty of racially aggravated harassment yesterday. He accepted that the pair were provoked by protesters at the party's annual Red, White and Blue festival, in Denby. But he said the salutes could not be seen as anything other than hostile towards the non-British and non-white people and "those associated with them" in the 1,000-strong protest group.

He said: "It (the Nazi salute) is a reference to Nazi party dogma, which, as we know, involved racial discrimination to the most extreme degree – that is genocide based on race."

Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' court heard how, on Saturday, August 15, an argument started when protesters passed a small group of people in Codnor-Denby Lane as they walked away from holding a rally near the festival entrance. Between 10 and 15 people, including Davies, 25 and Gough, 18, were asked to move out of the way by police as the protesters approached.

When the protesters arrived Davies, who had a shaved head and was wearing braces and jeans, said he got into an argument with a man he believed threatened his son. The court heard how protesters shouted slogans like "Nazi scum" and "Master race you're having a laugh" and threw objects such as fruit. Davies, who was on his way to the festival at the time, said, as he moved away, the taunts got louder and he turned to give a Nazi salute.

Gough, who claimed he was following the protest "to get his face on TV", said he gave three Nazi salutes when interviewed by police.

Both were caught on CCTV taken by a police surveillance team. Davies was arrested at the scene and Gough was arrested later that day after officers had studied the pictures. In September, Davies and Gough pleaded not guilty to racially aggravated harassment. Yesterday, they pleaded guilty to behaviour causing harassment alarm or distress but continued to deny it was racially aggravated. They were found guilty of the earlier charge.

Both said they were not members of the BNP but Davies said he been to one party meeting. Davies, of Holywell Avenue, Codnor, was ordered to pay a fine and costs totalling £315, and Gough, of Church Street, Riddings, £390. Both were bound over to pay £250 if they caused harassment, alarm or distress to the public again within two years.

Derby Telegraph

Police hoping BNP will move festival away from village

Derbyshire police say they hope the British National Party will confirm an alternative venue for its annual Red, White and Blue festival.

Speaking after a meeting last night, Superintendent Howard Veigas said the event, held for the past three years in Denby, led to "the same community suffering year after year" from the upheaval it brings to local residents.

Supt Veigas said: "The police do not feel it is a suitable location for the festival. We have great concerns that it is such an imposition and a huge disruption to the local community. But if it has to come back we will have to take on the organisation."

His comments came after BNP councillor Lewis Allsebrook told the meeting at Denby Church of England School, in Church Street, that the party was looking at "two or three alternative locations" for the event. Mr Allsebrook, who represents Heanor West on Amber Valley Borough Council, reiterated that the party may move its festival away from Derbyshire.

He said: "The BNP is looking at alternative sites. The decision would be made at a central level. We came here to listen to what everyone has had to say and we are going to take on board their views."

Around 20 villagers turned up at last night's meeting. Almost all praised the police for the way they handled this year's event, which saw 18 people arrested – four supporters of the BNP and 14 protesters. One man, who did not wish to be named, said: "It was a fantastic job by the police. I felt very secure knowing they were there."

Another resident told the meeting: "I think the police response was absolutely excellent in the way they handled the different interest groups."

Villagers at the meeting, which was organised by the police to seek residents' views on the way the force handled the event, were shown video footage taken from a police helicopter. It showed demonstrators, marshalled by officers and police on horseback, as they marched down Heanor Road to a designated protest point on Codnor-Denby Lane. Police formed a cordon but were pushed back twice as the protesters shoved their way through.

Chief Superintendent Garry Sherwood, Commander for the Constabulary's A Division, which covers Amber Valley, told the meeting: "It reminded me of when I started policing more than 20 years ago – a thin blue line with arms linked."

Derby Telegraph

BNP legal bid cost taxpayers £5,000

The borough council spent almost £5,000 in taxpayers' money pursuing a legal injunction to stop caravans being parked at the British National Party's annual festival in Denby, it has been revealed.

The right wing party held its controversial Red, White and Blue bash on land owned by party member Alan Warner off Codnor Denby Lane in August.

Amber Valley Borough Council wrote to Mr Warner in July warning him that using his land as a temporary caravan park for the weekend was contrary to the Town and County Planning Act and obtained an injunction. Mr Warner says he refused to sign the injunction as it did not specifically say how many caravans would be allowed and as soon as the number was confirmed as three he agreed. However in the meantime the council pursued a case in the High Court against him.

Now a freedom of information request by the BNP has revealed council solicitors' fees amounted to £4,373 plus VAT of £626.25 for the case.

Mr Warner said: "The only reason I didn't sign their injunction was because it said a 'small number' of caravans would be allowed. That could be ten, it could be 20. When the police confirmed it was three I signed up straight away but Amber Valley jumped the gun. It is unbelievable really, costing the ratepayers all this money."

Mr Warner says he has now submitted an application to Amber Valley Borough Council applying for permission to site 40 caravans on his land next summer.

Amber Valley Borough Council has defended its decision to pursue an injunction against the number of caravans permitted at the festival. A spokesman for the council said: "Do we feel the costs of the High Court injunction were a constructive use of public money? Yes."

More than 1,000 people marched in protest against the festival on August 15 and police made 19 arrests as well as issuing two cautions and two fixed penalty notices. In September, a BNP member, 66-year-old John Jones, was fined £146 by Derby magistrates for making a Nazi salute at protesters.

Ripley and Heanor News

First report back from RWB demo

A superb view of the march approaching the RWB

Early reports back from the demonstration at the BNP's Red, White and Blue piss-up suggest that there were in excess of 1500 protestors and a measly seven arrests (three for being outside the designated protest zone, for God's sake).

The other four arrests were made when those at the head of the march of about a thousand demonstrators tried to force their way past a cordon of mounted and standing police to the entrance to the RWB site 150 metres away. Bags of flour, plastic bottles, eggs and fruit were thrown.

What a lovely bunch of neanderthals - the BNP in action

The main body of demonstrators, which was monitored by a helicoptor, CCTV cameras and a camera mounted on a drone, gathered in Codnor's Market Place, chanting "Nazi scum, off our streets" and waving placards. The other arrests took place at the junction of Codnor-Denby Lane and Heanor Road, where smaller groups of protestors clashed with officers.

At the front of the march - and facing the horses

The march came a day after an open letter was published on Unite Against Fascism's website, condemning the BNP event. The letter, whose signatories include former London mayor Ken Livingstone, children's author Michael Rosen and trade union leaders, accused the BNP of trying to "build up a hardened neo-Nazi core at the centre of the organisation".

It said: "We condemn the BNP and its festival of race hate, and we urge people to reject this party's poisonous and anti-democratic agenda."

Couldn't get to the RWB demo? Console yourself with a caption or two...

As it's likely to be quiet today - at least until this evening when everyone returns from annoying the BNP at the Red, White and Blue - we'll have a quick caption competition. Any caption you like, as long as it's funny (and legal).

Mock grave among the "attractions" at BNP "family festival"

A mock graveyard of people whom the BNP says were killed in anti-white racist attacks is among the "attractions" at the Red, White and Blue festival in Derbyshire this weekend. The event, held in Codnor-Denby Lane, Denby for the third consecutive year, started yesterday.

Anti-BNP protesters claim it is a fascist show; the BNP insists it is for families. The party said other events at the festival would include teaching teenagers how to deal with "anti-white racism" in schools, colleges and the workplace.

Last year the Derby Telegraph was barred from the site, but yesterday our reporter was able to enter. The graveyard featured about 30 wooden crosses with the names and faces of murder victims. A sign at the graveyard read: "The forgotten victims: a memorial to those who paid the ultimate price. Please take a moment to remember them. Victims of anti-white racist violence. Light a candle and pray that our efforts are rewarded in this political struggle before more lives are wasted."

Elsewhere on site, T-shirts were on sale with slogans like "It's a white thing" and leaflets available headed "Islam: A threat to us all".

Head of the BNP's youth and student wing, Mike Howson, said he expected about 50 young BNP members to take part in youth events over the weekend. He said this would include explaining to older teenagers how to deal with "anti-white racism". This will involve the youths being told what their rights are if they belive they are victims of what the BNP called discrimination against whites.

The BNP has refused to say which speakers from abroad will be at the festival and refers to only one unnamed foreign guest speaker in its programme. Anti-BNP groups claim the speakers will include a number of spokespeople from fascist European parties. Yesterday, a US white supremacist, Preston Wiginton, was banned from entering Britain to speak at the festival. Wiginton was barred by officials at Heathrow airport. The UK Border Agency said it had intelligence that Wiginton was to give a speech and said it was feared he would promote "extremism, hatred and violent messages".

Today, more than 2,000 protesters were expected to take part in a peaceful march from Codnor Market Place to a point on Codnor-Denby Lane. It was being organised by Unite Against Fascism, Stop the BNP, Derby Racial Equality Council, Amber Valley Campaign Against Racism and Fascism and the TUC.

Derby Telegraph

Anti-fascist protesters threaten to ‘kettle’ crowd at BNP festival

Anti-fascist groups are planning to “kettle” members of the British National Party at their annual gathering in a Derbyshire village, despite a heavy police presence.

Protesters, angered at the BNP’s success in the recent European elections, told The Times that they would attempt to trap the far-Right party’s political supporters inside the Red, White and Blue Festival.

Anindya Bhattacharyya, a spokesman for Unite Against Fascism (UAF), said that the plan to “kettle” the BNP — corral its members within a diminishing area — would show that most Britons were against the party’s position on race and immigration. He said: “We will be attempting to get as close as possible and make it clear, by the large number of people [protesting], that the BNP are the minority. We’ll kettle the BNP.”

Violence at last year’s event, held in the tiny village of Denby, resulted in more than 30 arrests — primarily because of clashes between police and protesters. Even greater disruption is expected this year after the BNP won two European Parliament seats, including the North West for the party leader, Nick Griffin.

Up to a thousand police officers, equipped with a radio-controlled aircraft to monitor crowds, are to be stationed in Denby for the three-day festival. A collaboration of anti-fascist groups, including trade unions and the UAF, will descend on the village on Saturday. They expect thousands of supporters. The protesters have been warned that they will be heavily restricted by the police, who will put roadblocks in place to prevent them from getting too close to the BNP event.

The organisers have discouraged protesters from becoming violent. Mr Bhattacharyya said that the UAF did not advocate violence and wanted only to make its “political presence” felt.

Simon Darby, the deputy leader of the BNP, said that the kettling tactic was “ironic” considering that left-wing groups had criticised police for using it during the G20 protests in London this year. “Besides, they would need tens of thousands of people to do that. The violent Left are always attacking us. I think this is all a bit of frustration [at the BNP’s election success]. They will cause trouble and we will get the blame for it.”

The party advertises the festival as a family outing to celebrate British heritage with a fireworks display and historical re-enactments. Residents, however, have complained in the past about violence and loud music.

Derbyshire Constabulary said that its operation was unprecedented and that all rest days for officers had been cancelled, a measure usually restricted to the policing of big football matches. A spokesman said: “Our main concern is to try as much as possible to minimise the disruption to local people who get caught up in all this.”

The festival, which is in its tenth year, was moved from Lancashire to Derbyshire three years ago. It will be held on a 34-acre property owned by Alan Warner, a local BNP member. The BNP has not applied for a liquor or entertainment licence but festival-goers are encouraged to bring their own alcohol.

Times Online

Restrictions on protests near BNP festival

Derbyshire Constabulary, in conjunction with Amber Valley Borough Council, is placing Restrictions have been placed on any protests planned in the vicinity of the British National Party's Red, White and Blue event this weekend.

The BNP is staging the event at a site on Codnor-Denby Lane on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and a number of groups have indicated their plans to stage a protest in response to the event on Saturday.

After talks between Derbyshire Police and Amber Valley Borough Council this has been agreed to but with certain safeguards. But, as part of this process the police and council have invoked a number of sections of the Public Order Act 1986 to help prevent serious disorder, serious damage to property and serious disruption to the local community.

Section 14 of the act has been utilised to identify Codnor Market Place as a designated area for public assembly prior to and following the procession between 9am and 5pm for all those attending the demonstration. Section 12 of the act has been used to impose conditions on the public procession, which will take place between Codnor Market Place and Codnor Denby Lane.

The protestors will set off from the Market Place no earlier than 11.30am. They will follow a route along the A6007 Heanor Road, Codnor to its junction with Codnor Denby Lane where it will turn right into Codnor Denby Lane adjacent to Crosshill Church. It will then continue along Codnor Denby Lane, to the area identified as the designated protest point, where it will halt. At this point, a further public assembly may take place until 2pm, at which time the procession will turn around and return to the Market Place in Codnor via the same route.

Those who have participated in the public procession may then rejoin the designated protest point at Codnor Market Place for the remainder of the period specified in the notice. The procession will be marshalled by the event organisers and accompanied by police officers.

Finally section 14a of the act has been invoked to prevent trespassory assemblies around the area known as The Bungalow in Codnor Denby Lane and the adjacent lands to an area that does not exceed a radius of five miles. This part of the act prevents anyone trespassing on private land because of police fears that there may be disruption to the event and disruption caused to the community.

All the orders run from 9am on Friday, August 14, to 4pm on Sunday, August 16. Anyone not abiding by the legislation may be liable to arrest.

Acting Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cotterill said: "We are trying to find a balance between allowing legitimate assembly and maintaining public safety and minimising inconvenience to people who live or work in the affected area. We hope that people will abide by the law in order to voice their opinions in safety."

Derbyshire Times

Police ready for clashes at British National Party festival

A recent RWB attendee complete with hardcore nazi Blood and Honour tattoo

Police are to conduct a huge security operation in a Derbyshire village this week amid fears of clashes at an annual British National Party gathering.

Eighty coachloads of anti-Fascists are to protest over the Red, White and Blue festival in Denby, which is likely to attract thousands of supporters next weekend. Up to a thousand police officers will be stationed in the village. There was violence last year and greater disruption is expected this time. It is the BNP’s first mass gathering since it won two European seats in June.

Lee Barron, a trade union organiser of the protest, said that a peaceful march was planned and that violent protesters should stay away.

The BNP advertises its festival as a family event involving historical re-enactments, Morris dancing and a dog show. However, previously there have been complaints by local people about skinheads with vicious dogs descending on their village and playing tapes of Third Reich martial tunes.

Police officers have been granted special powers across the four-day event, which begins on Friday, to prevent more than 20 people gathering in certain areas of the village, among other restrictions.

Residents asked to remain anonymous for fear of retribution for speaking out against the BNP, but told The Times that the party was not welcome. One said: “It is a place of warmth and tolerance and we don’t want to be associated with these people.”

Simon Darby, the deputy leader of the BNP, denied that the location of the festival was inappropriate and said that the presence of two BNP representatives on the local council showed that the party had support. “We’d have the same problems wherever we had it. Its the Left that are causing all the problems,” Mr Darby said.

Weyman Bennett, of the Unite Against Fascism group, said that the BNP rally would be a “magnet for Fascists and neo-Nazis from across Europe”. Mr Bennett said: “We want to make sure that there is opposition.”

The festival, in its tenth year, was moved from Lancashire to Denby three years ago. It will be held on a 34-acre property owned by Alan Warner, a local BNP member.

Times Online

BNP shuts door on white van man

Gipsy-bashing bosses of the British National Party have had to ban the mobile homes and caravans of their OWN supporters from their summer festival.

They had hoped to encourage scores of far-right campers to attend next month’s Red, White and Blue jamboree in the Derbyshire village of Denby. But their plans have been scuppered by local fears about traffic, noise and disruption. So BNP chiefs have had to warn off travelling fans. And that could hit attendance at the event as the party has been ­particularly keen to bring in ­supporters from all over Europe.

A spokesman for Amber Valley Council said: “The council’s chief executive is responding to complaints from residents after last year’s event. They were about the number of caravans on the site giving rise to traffic and noise issues. He is asking the council to apply for an injunction to prevent caravans entering the site because of concerns that planning and caravan legislation will be breached.”

Last year, revellers clashed with anti-fascists protesting at the event. Riot police with shields and visors used batons and police dogs to control the mayhem as residents in the quiet village cowered in their homes.

BNP leader Nick Griffin, 50, has described regular travelling people as “anti-social and criminal” – although it has been revealed that he is descended from gipsies himself.

Star

Police warning to land-owner over BNP rally

Whoops, here comes trouble - the BNP's Red, White and Blue is back

Members of the British National Party bringing caravans to the controversial Red, White and Blue festival in Denby in August could face arrest.

Amber Valley Borough Council has written to organiser Alan Warner, who has hosted the event on his land for the past two years, warning him that he risks police intervention by allowing too many caravanners to park on his land during the festival without a licence. Land-owners need a caravan site licence to use their land as a temporary or permanent park for the vehicles and the council says that the excessive number of caravans at last year's festival exceeded the amount allowed without permission.

In a letter to Mr Warner sent earlier this month Amber Valley solicitor Paul Benski said: "Land may not be used as a caravan site, either permanently or temporarily, unless a site licence is held. To do otherwise would constitute a criminal offence. I must ask you to state in clear terms that anyone entering your land with a caravan is a trespasser who does so without your permission. Anyone who then does so is liable to arrest for public order offences."

Alan Warner, whose home was targeted by vandals spraying graffiti again last week, said: "I have told our party to break off all communication with the council. I think it is absolutely ridiculous - talking about coming on site and arresting people in caravans for trespassing. This is clearly victimisation. Other events in the area like the steam rally have many caravans on site with no problems. It looks to me like they have been scouring the legal books looking for something to get us on and this is all they have found. I will simply not allow them on site to do this."

A spokesman for Amber Valley Borough Council said: "Chief Executive Peter Carney is responding to representations from the Chief Constable and complaints after last year's event from residents about the number of caravans on the site giving rise to traffic and noise issues. He is asking the council to make an order prohibiting a trespassory assembly on the land for the event, following a request from the Chief Constable. This is aimed at preventing large numbers of protesters attending the event, and follows the order that was made last year.

"He is also asking the council to apply for an injunction to prevent caravans entering the site because of concerns that planning and caravan legislation will be breached. This is in the event that the landowners do not give an undertaking to comply with this legislation. This is not aimed at stopping the rally itself."

The proposals were to be discussed by the full council yesterday.

Derbyshire Times

March against Red, White and Blue festival could involve more than 1,000

Anti-BNP groups expect more than 1,000 people from across the country to take part in a rally and march against the party's Red, White and Blue festival.

The event is due to be held on fields off Codnor-Denby Lane, Denby, for the third consecutive year, on the weekend of August 14, 15 and 16. Word of the protest plans came as the home of Alan Warner – owner of the fields where the festival is held – was daubed with graffiti.

Last year, more than 400 anti-BNP protesters took part in a peaceful rally and protest march, organised in Codnor. But, away from the march, 36 anti-BNP campaigners were arrested outside the festival site after clashes with police.

The Trade Union Congress, Unite Against Fascism, Stop the BNP and Amber Valley Campaign Against Racism and Fascism have now said they will be marching again this year, on Saturday, August 15. Last year, the march went from Codnor Market Place and down Heanor Road to its junction with Codnor-Denby Lane where it was stopped by a police cordon. About 30 protesters were then allowed to go and demonstrate in a designated area near the site's entrance.

This year's route has yet to be confirmed, as negotiations with police are not yet complete. But the groups said they wanted to get as close to the festival site as possible.

Alan Weaver, the TUC's policy and campaigns officer in the East Midlands, said: "We'd like the people in the festival to know they are not welcome in Derbyshire and we reject their politics. It's always difficult to predict how many will come. But I would think between 1,000 and 2,000. Up to 50 coaches would come from as far south as Brighton and as far north as Scotland."

One of the shopkeepers on the route said he would prefer it if the march did not happen. Bill Holmes, owner of Codnor Pet and Aquatics, Market Place, said that during last year's protests, people tore down flags, including the Union Jack, which were on display outside his shop. He said: "I'll stay open. I won't shut for anyone – particularly them. They are a nuisance."

Mr Warner said protesters had already made their mark on his home by painting the words "Dead Nazi" on one of his walls and locking his farm gates shut. The incident happened during the night. Mr Warner was awoken by the driver of a delivery lorry which could not get on to his land. Police said they were investigating the vandalism and that they were also speaking to the protesters about the march route.

Activists are due to meet for a protest and mass picket in Codnor Market Place from 9am on August 15. A rally will be held from 11am followed by the march at noon.

This is Derbyshire

Stop the BNP’s Red White and Blue Festival

Man who hosts annual BNP festival says he may move

The Derbyshire man who hosts an annual festival for the British National Party says he may sell his land and move away.

Alan Warner has allowed his land in Denby to be used for the Red, White and Blue festival twice, with a third event planned to take place in August. But the pensioner has been the victim of several acts of vandalism – including having his home daubed with a swastika and the words "BNP scum".

He told the Derby Telegraph he had become tired of protestors who vandalised his property. Mr Warner said: "I should move on – I have had enough. I will be holding it this year but, if I sell the land, the BNP won't be coming back. I'm getting my property vandalised, my stuff stolen and my walls painted. I had to install a camera as a security measure."

Mr Warner said he had a flag stolen from his property late last year. It was returned in a jiffy bag with a list of 12 telephone numbers – for undertakers in London. A gate to his property was also forced shut with two motorcycle locks that he had to saw off to get in and out.

At last year's event, 36 anti-BNP protesters were arrested outside the site in Codnor-Denby Lane. Derbyshire police spent £250,000 protesters clashed with officers outside the site.

"I understand it's because of my beliefs but I do not go around aggravating people who have got different beliefs to me. I believe in what I do. As far as the British people are concerned, I do not think we should have any more immigrants. If I'm being targeted for saying that then it's a poor look-out."

Neighbour John Lumsden, who has protested against the festival, said he would be "delighted" if Mr Warner left the village and claimed most other people living nearby would be too. He said: "I'd love him to leave and take the BNP festival with him, although I'll only believe it when I see it."

But Mr Warner said he had already had an offer for the land and his bungalow and would like to move to the Peak District.

"They seem very interested," he said about the people behind the offer. "I have met with them twice, but we will have to wait until after the Red, White and Blue Festival."

Police have written to Mr Warner to tell him they believe the site is unsuitable for the festival this year. But the BNP said it could see no reason to change venues because there had been no trouble on the site itself in the past. The festival is scheduled to take place in Denby on August 13, 14 and 15.

A police spokeswoman said officers had concerns "based on intelligence we have received and the risk that was caused by last year's violence in the area surrounding the festival".

Derby Telegraph

BNP confirm Red, White and Blue festival will be held in Derbyshire for a third time

The BNP has confirmed it will hold its Red, White and Blue festival in Derbyshire for the third consecutive year, despite fears of violent protests.

At last year's event, 36 anti-BNP protesters were arrested outside the site in Codnor-Denby Lane, Denby, after clashes with police. People living nearby have said they do not want the event to return and police have written to Alan Warner (pictured, left), who owns the fields used for the event, to tell him they believe the site is unsuitable for the festival. But the BNP said it could see no reason to change venues because there has been no previous trouble on the site itself. The party has now confirmed that the festival will take place in Denby on August 13, 14 and 15.

Mr Warner predicted that up to 6,000 people could come to the event. He said: "I don't know why the police think the site is unsuitable. It's near the motorway and the A38 so people can just drive straight there without going through towns. They said the site was too open to be protected from violent opponents but I don't see what that has to do with anything, because no-one was trying to get on the site last year."

Superintendent Howard Veigas had told Mr Warner the police would object if the BNP applied for a licence to sell alcohol and play music. But the BNP has said it would not be doing this and that people could bring their own alcohol if they wished.

Mr Warner said guests at the festival would again include party leader Nick Griffin as well as a number of "speakers from abroad".

A nearby resident, Brian Bentley, of Codnor-Denby Lane, said he was unhappy the BNP would be returning but doubted how many would attend. Mr Bentley, 77, said: "Noise is one of my main concerns. I think the BNP believe they are going to make gains in the coming elections because of the expenses scandal and that will mean they get more people at the festival. But the increase in visitors they are talking about is highly unlikely. I don't see how they would fit on the site."

Last year, about 400 anti-BNP protesters took part in a peaceful protest march, organised in Codnor by Unite Against Fascism, Stop the BNP and Derby's Racial Equality Council.

Council executive director Kirit Mistry said: "We are disappointed the BNP are coming back. We need to speak to police and groups such as the UAF to decide on our response."

A police spokeswoman said officers' concerns about the festival were "based on intelligence we have received and the risk that was caused by last year's violence in the area surrounding the festival".

Police only have powers to object to a music and alcohol licence being granted. They cannot object to the festival itself as it is on private land.

Derby Telegraph

Police set to object to BNP festival plan

Griffin cooking some rancid crap at last year's Red, White and Blue

Controversial plans to stage a British National Party festival on land between Codnor and Denby for a third year have been cast into fresh doubt.

Supt Howard Veigas, from Derbyshire Police, has written to party member Alan Warner, who hosts the event on his land off Codnor Denby Lane, confirming the force will object to an alcohol and live music licence for the festival this year. The Red, White and Blue event went ahead without a licence last year with BNP members encouraged to bring their own alcohol, but Mr Warner admits he is still unsure whether he will host it again in August this year.

He said: "I'm not sure where the festival will be this year. Here or somewhere else – I don't know. If the council is minded to approve a licence for music and alcohol then the police have said the whole site will need to be fenced off and we just can't afford to put a fence up around 30 acres of land. It is strange that the police have objected to our festival and not the Rock and Blues. We had no trouble on our site last year."

Mr Warner also pointed an accusing finger at Derbyshire Police over their handling of last year's event where people protesting against the party marched through Codnor and Loscoe and 33 arrests were made.

He said: "The police more or less manufactured the problems by allowing people to get off the buses. They should have turned those buses back. It is the lefties and the Communists causing the problems, not members of the BNP. You only have to look at what happened in London recently, if there is anything to object to they are there – if you want to build an airport, take some coal out of the ground or widen a motorway, there they are."

Police have said they would oppose this year's festival on the grounds of public safety, crime and disorder, public nuisance and protection of children.

A spokesman for the force said: "We have written to Mr Warner saying that if he was to apply for a licence to sell alcohol and have live entertainment we would object to that. He could still go ahead with the festival but would not be allowed to sell alcohol or have live music. We have to facilitate lawful protest which was done in the majority last year apart from the documented problems we had and the arrests that were made."

Ripley and Heanor News

Derbyshire police will object if BNP festival comes to county again

Griffin speaking at last year's RWB, while Alan Warner nods off beside him

A senior police officer has told the BNP he fears more violence if the party tries to hold its annual festival in the county this summer.

Alan Warner wants to hold the Red, White and Blue festival in fields next to his home in Codnor-Denby Lane, Denby, for the third successive year. But Superintendent Howard Veigas, who policed the event last year, has pre-empted any official announcement by writing to Mr Warner with his concerns.

He said the police would object if the party applied to Amber Valley Borough Council for a licence to sell alcohol and play live music at the event.The comments came after the force spent £250,000 policing last year's event with about 400 officers. Anti-BNP protesters clashed with police outside the festival site, leading to 33 arrests.

The letter to Mr Warner said: "In the view of the Derbyshire Constabulary, the site at Codnor-Denby Lane is not a suitable venue for an event which generates such strong emotions and objections. We would oppose it on the grounds of risk to public safety, prevention of crime and disorder, prevention of public nuisance and protection of children from harm.

"The protests last year led to a high number of arrests following various incidents of disorder which took place around the site. The open nature of the site means that it is impossible for the festival to be protected against any determined and violent opponent without a large police presence."

Last year, the BNP withdrew its application to sell alcohol and play live music on the land after the police objected but the event itself went ahead. Mr Warner said the same could happen this year. He said he could not understand the views in the letter as last year's problems had been caused by anti-BNP activists. He said: "We didn't have any trouble on our site last year. If the BNP were to apply but not get the licences I would imagine we would still hold an event."

One festival organiser, Wendy Russell, said that, if the festival took place in Derbyshire, it would be held on or around August 13, 14 and 15. She said: "We are having a committee meeting about it within the next couple of weeks. It will definitely go ahead somewhere, as it's the 10th one, so we've got to pull out all the stops. There's always other options but we like Mr Warner's land and the local area."

One local resident, Brian Bentley, 77, of Codnor-Denby Lane, said he was delighted the police were planning to object.

"If the paperwork comes in I will be objecting, as I did the year before, on the basis of noise," he said.

A police spokeswoman said the concerns raised with Mr Warner were "based on intelligence we have received and the risk that was caused by last year's violence in the area surrounding the festival".

"We are in regular contact with Mr Warner to discuss his plans," she added.

Police only have powers to object to a music and alcohol licence being granted; they cannot object to the festival itself as it is being held on private land

This is Derbyshire

£250,000 cost of protest over BNP festival

Over-enthusiastic policing for the unnecessary and deliberately
provocative Red, White and Blue annual piss-up

Dealing with violent protests which broke out during a controversial BNP festival cost Derbyshire police a quarter of a million pounds.

The figure has been revealed by Derbyshire Chief Constable Mick Creedon, who said the two-day Red, White and Blue event, in Denby, had to be staffed by up to 400 officers. During the event, anti-BNP protesters clashed with police, leaving residents trapped inside their homes. Those who live near the site have now called for police to try to prevent any future festival being held in the village.

Mr Creedon said the £250,000 cost of policing the event was made up of providing police officers, as well as paying for overtime, planning for the event before it took place and the use of the police helicopter. The force also had to provide food and mobile toilets for officers based at the site.

Mr Creedon said: “This is an example of a national event that has financial implications on the force because it is being held in the county. We are responsible for policing and staffing the event without any additional support at all from central Government. We have not asked for this event to be held in Derbyshire, but we have to spend the money on policing it. The police can seek a contribution to the costs in limited circumstances. Where the police are providing additional assistance to an organiser in order to facilitate an event such as a football match a charge can be levied. However, where the police are deploying resources to protect the local community and combat potential crime this event, we cannot.”

During the two-day event in August, which was held on land owned by BNP member Alan Warner, masked anti-BNP activists fought hand-to-hand with riot officers on the first day of the festival, pelting them with stones. The violence happened when protesters tried to barricade a road leading to the festival. Police armed with batons moved in to quell the demonstrators, making 34 arrests. All those arrested remain on police bail.

Mr Warner said: “It is a lot of money but we did not ask for any police presence, we had our own security for the event.”

News of the £250,000 cost of policing outside the festival comes just days after Mr Creedon talked about why his force needs at least another £4m to help tackle major issues such as terrorism and serious and organised crime. He said investigations into these areas were taking up more police time than ever, which meant a greater cost to the Derbyshire force.

John Lumsden, 65, of Codnor-Denby Lane, Denby, said he hoped police would object to any future festival being held in the area. He was left trapped inside his home while the demonstrations took place. He said: “I think £250,000 is a disgusting figure. That is money that could be better spent on other resources. That cost is only the start. The protesters were only at the site for one day this year, I know for a fact that if it is held in Derbyshire again they are going to be around for two days.”

And Brian Bentley, 76, also of Codnor-Denby Lane, said: “This is a huge amount of money and I suppose it is the people of Derbyshire that are going to have to pay for it.”

Simon Darby, BNP spokesman, said protesters should pay towards the police’s costs for the event. He said: “None of the arrests were from the party. I think that says it all. “

Mr Creedon said: “Under the Licensing Act 2003, the police can object to anyone serving alcohol or public entertainment. We successfully objected to the alcohol and music licences but it was not legally possible to totally prevent other activities taking place on private land. However, if there are plans to stage a similar event next year we will consider it on the basis of intelligence at the time.”

Judy Mallaber, Labour MP for Amber Valley, said she hoped the BNP held its event elsewhere next year. She said: “I sympathise with Mr Creedon in that this is a national event of which costs have to be incurred by his force. I will raise this with ministers and I, along with other MPs in Derbyshire, are continuing to raise the issue of funding for the Derbyshire force.”

Derbyshire Evening Telegraph

Caption competition: Griffin at the RWB

 

Christ, when will he ever shut up?

Caption competition. The BNP's disastrous Red, White and Blue security-fest has provided us with a number of articles, some excitement and a lot of laughs over the past couple of weeks but the world is generally returning to normal and it's time for us to get back to reality and carry on doing our bit to get rid of this rubbishy party and its increasingly loathed leader. But let's leave with a laugh and find some decent captions for the picture above which shows Nick Griifin boring the troops and Alan Warner looking like he's wishing he'd never invited the BNP to within a hundred miles of his house.

Let's have your captions for the pic (normal rules apply - let's try not to be too obscene but we realise we may be asking too much there) and we might even be able to get a prize together for the winner. Go for it!

Letter in today's Guardian re' RWB

I was one of 30 people - from the 500-strong gathering of anti-BNP protesters - allowed within Derbyshire constabulary's 1.5-mile "official protest area". Tightly controlled under sections 14 and 14a of the Public Order Act and under constant surveillance, we marched up Denby Lane to the Bungalow, the hilltop site of the BNP's "Red, White, and Blue festival" (Czech far-right party activist to address BNP, August 16).

 Heavily flanked by police, the half-mile walk was uneventful. My arthritis slowed me down somewhat (I'm 66). A police helicopter clattered overhead, and after passing the Bungalow we reached a grass verge, where some protesters were interviewed by the local press. After 10 minutes we walked back down the hill, again past the Bungalow; "festival security" filmed us from the gateway, and further down a few vehicle drivers, irritated by being slowed up, treated us to some foul language, while four middle-aged men at a pub jeered at us to "get a job", before we rejoined the main demonstration.

 At no point did my wife and I, our comrades from Stoke-on-Trent or most of the hundreds at this protest see stones thrown, or arrests made. Indeed the assistant chief constable of Derbyshire said our behaviour was "impeccable". But what media reports there have been about the demonstrations focused only on disorderly events, and missed the fact that the vast majority of people taking part in marches of this type are law-abiding citizens, most with jobs and responsibilities, who worry about the rise of far-right politics in Britain, and in Europe.

 I fear that this type of reporting may discourage many people from attending such events, as does the constant surveillance filming by police units.

 My father, Charles Edward Honeysett, 1899-1982, served on the western front in 1918, spoke at open-air meetings and demonstrated against fascism in the 1930s, and had to serve Britain for six more years after being called up in 1939; for his sacrifice alone I have no alternative but to continue joining with all those good people with social consciences, and try to raise awareness of the ignorance, divisiveness and racism behind the BNP's "mask of respectability".

 Jon Honeysett
 Stoke-on-Trent

Guardian