Watchdog rejects BNP's complaint

A watchdog has said it will not follow up a complaint by the British National Party (BNP) that Stoke-on-Trent's elected mayor shows it "disrespect".

Labour's Mark Meredith has refused to work with seven BNP councillors. They said the mayor did not respect the fact they had been elected. Mr Meredith said he had done nothing wrong.

The National Standards Board for England said the complaint was "insuffiently serious" and would not be investigated further.

BBC

Elected mayor 'disrespecting' BNP

Councillors from the British National Party in Stoke-on-Trent have written to the city council to complain about the elected mayor. The party said Mark Meredith does not respect the fact that they have been elected. The BNP has seven seats on the council which has no overall control.

After the local elections in May, Mr Meredith, a Labour councillor, said he would not associate with the party. But he has told BBC News that he has done nothing wrong.

In the letter to the council's legal advisor, Paul Hackney, the party said it was also unhappy with comments made on BBC Stoke.

'Negative vote'

During the radio station's election coverage Mr Meredith said the party would not help the city.

"I do not think I need to work with the BNP and a vote for the BNP is a negative vote and they will not be able to deliver anything positive in Stoke-on-Trent," he said.

The party has asked Mr Hackney to pass the letter on to the National Standards Board for local councils. Mr Meredith was elected as mayor in 2005.

BBC