BNP councillor in Nuneaton quits to become independent

THE only British National Party member on Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council has defected from the party and declared himself an Independent.

Martyn Findley will no longer represent Barpool ward under the BNP banner but will continue to serve as a councillor until the next election in May 2012.

Explaining his decision, he said: “The BNP has gone backwards.

"I have been involved with the party for more than a decade but the progression has come to a halt and it is not something I could tolerate.

“The decision to quit is something I have been considering for some time.

“I feel I need to be honest, although I will not let my consituents down and will continue to work hard for them.”

Coun Findley was one of two BNP candidates to be elected onto the council three years ago.

His colleague, Darren Hayward resigned in 2009 and his seat in Camp Hill was regained by Labour in a by-election.

He said: “I have not been head-hunted or approached by any other party and will stay on as an Independent councillor for Barpool.

"I have left the BNP as a point of principle and I have not decided what to do about standing again next year.”

Coun Findley now becomes the third Independent sitting on the borough council, following the resignations from the opposition Tory party last year of John Ison and Tom Wilson.

Coventry Telegraph

Coventry’s Champagne Charlies

With the European election fast approaching we can reveal the BNP's latest attempt at fundraising with a series of Champagne dinners based on a Battle of Britain theme.

The BNP hopes to have several of these dinners around the country, designed by Nick Griffin to persuade the party's wealthier donors to part with their cash. This Saturday 28 February sees the charade turn up in Coventry.

The regular meeting place for the BNP in Coventry, the Royal Warwickshire Club is no stranger to controversy. Back in 2007 it was revealed that the club intended to host a meeting by none other than the Holocaust denier and false historian David Irving. However the meeting failed to take place after Searchlight revealed to the local media that Irving intended to speak in their proud city.

The Royal Warwickshire Club pleaded ignorance claiming that Irving had booked the meeting under a false name, The Military History Book Club. Whether a false name was used or not, the club has continued as a regular venue for the BNP's meetings and fundraisers.

For those not familiar with the Coventry area the Royal Warwickshire Club can be found on Tower Street, Coventry CV1 1JS. Alternatively you can phone the club on 02476 220425.

HOPE not hate

Protest against David Irving meeting in Coventry tonight

Tonight (Friday 21 September), with the help of the British National Party, David Irving, the notorious Holocaust denier and liar, is booked to speak at the Royal Warwicks Club in Coventry. Tomorrow night he intends to speak in Windsor, where he now lives.

Since his release from prison in Austria late last year Irving has gone back to his old ways, addressing a large audience of antisemites in Hungary, before moving on to a book fair in Poland, from where he was expelled.

Back in the UK, Irving has so far spoken at a small meeting in Rugby and popped up in John Sweeney's Panorama programme, Weekend Nazis, signing his books for admiring men dressed up in SS uniforms.

The promise of an invitation to speak to the European Society at St Andrews University rapidly evaporated after the university "raised concerns" about "security and use of their property". However Irving boasts that he still has another invitation to participate in a debate at a so-far-unnamed university on 23 November.

Searchlight calls on people to protest against Irving being allowed to spread his poison in Coventry, a city that was badly bombed by the Nazis during the Second World War.

Phone the Royal Warwicks Club on 024 7622 0425 to tell the management what you think of the club giving space to this man and his Nazi supporters (though don't be rude to club staff who had no say in the booking and probably object just as much as you do).

If you want to protest outside, go to the Royal Warwicks Club, Tower Street, Coventry CV1 1JS. Doors open at 7pm.

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