78 English Defence League fanatics claim whiplash injuries...but only 25 were on coach

Seventy-eight English Defence League supporters are trying to claim for whiplash injuries in a coach crash... when only 25 of them were on board.

The claims were lodged after the coach carrying party members from Gateshead to a rally in Preston, Lancs, was involved in a minor collision. Days later dozens of EDL supporters submitted a bid for compensation for whiplash injuries which they said were caused by the crash.

But the coach firm says only 25 people were on the bus - and the vehicle has just 57 seats. Maria Caris, spokesman for Caris Coaches in Gateshead, said she is now considering legal action amid fears her firm is being scammed by members of the extremist party, which opposes the spread of militant Islam.

She said: "They must think we're idiots. There are 78 claims in so far and the phone is still going with people asking for our insurance details. They are all saying they were on the coach."

Recalling the rally - which ended in violent clashes with police - she added: "These 'whiplash injuries' could have been caused when they were fighting with the police in Preston."

Driver Christopher Cartwright said he'd be amazed if any of the 25 on board were hurt in the crash last month. He said: "There was not much more than a scratch on the back corner of the coach."

Yesterday even their own supporters were protesting. EDL's Alan Spence wrote on the party's Facebook site: "Are you taking the piss or what? There were only 20 people on the fucking coach."

Mirror

Young hooligans given match ban

Two Preston North End fans have been banned from football matches for three years

Ryan Parker, 19, of Moorside Avenue, Ribbleton, and Craig Billington, 22, of Newfield Drive, Blackburn, were allegedly involved in disorder at games, Preston Magistrates’ Court was told. Police say the pair were members of the Preston Foot Patrol (PFP) gang, made up of around 30 people aged between 16-22.

Parker was allegedly involved in violence or disorder around matches. Police said he had “caused or contributed” to the trouble between March 2006 and September 2010. And Billington was allegedly involved in disorder between July 2007 and September 2010, the court was told.

Officers applied for civil banning orders for the pair, meaning police have to prove to the court that the pair are “likely to engage in violence and disorder” and a banning order would prevent them from doing so. Both Billington and Parker have been convicted of violent disorder over a brawl in the Academy pub on Church Street, Preston, on St George’s Day, for which they will be sentenced on December 23 along with three other defendants.

PC Paul Elliott, Preston police’s football intelligence officer, said the Academy incident was a “trigger offence” which led to police applying for the bans. He added: “They are in relation to lads who were part of the PFP risk supporters.Over a period of two to three years they have been profiled by myself in relation to their activities at football matches, associating with that risk group and they have previously been involved in disorder in Hull and Staffordshire.”

He said that the PFP group are “fairly well organised.” But because of the powers of civil banning order, which stop hooligans going into the city centre for four hours before or after a match and prevents them from going to Deepdale or any other ground, the activities of the PFP at football have reduced.

Some of the group attached themselves to the English Defence League, which held a protest in the city last month.

PC Elliott added: “They have declined over the past 18 months since we started getting these banning orders. We have not really seen them. At the last Friday night game against Hull on November 12 there were 20-25 Preston Foot Patrol lads out in the New Hall Lane area handing out EDL leaflets for the Preston EDL event. They have moved away from football because of the restrictions we have placed on them. It has been years since there has been disorder at Deepdale stadium itself.”

Lancashire Evening Post

Thanks to NewsHound for the heads-up

"A heroes’ parade was no place for EDL"

"Having attended the homecoming parade for the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, it was good to see so many people at the event.

Some of us may not agree with the wars but I guess there is a time and a place for making your point. But, as well as things went, you have to say those ‘representatives’ from the English Defence League kind of spoiled things a bit for the rest of the people there. They became an embarrassment to a lot of the onlookers. Some people were even apologetic for having to stand anywhere near this bunch of clowns.

I understand it is difficult to really stop people attending a public event. You can’t really say who is going to be there and who isn’t. But I would say there are a fair few people who would have been intimidated with some of the outright racist comments being made on the day.

For me it seemed liked being back at a football match in the mid-80s. But, hey, even those guys would give you an almighty hug the minute a goal was scored!

Some passers-by said they would have liked to join the crowds but didn’t like how the EDL seemed to have hijacked what was essentially a family and community day. Most people were confused as to what these guys aimed to achieve by being there. It seemed to me to be a pointless exercise like the gathering in Preston over the weekend.

However, I think the point was made by one lady standing next to me who simply stated to a couple of these people in no uncertain terms how she felt. She said: “Just behave the lot of you. If you think you are so brave why aren’t you the ones out there on the parade rather than standing here?”

If there was ever one woman who could shut up a group of grown men in balaclavas then this had to be it."

Lancashire Telegraph blog

14 arrests at Preston EDL demo

Pics of the EDL in action (click to enlarge)

Lancashire Police made 14 arrests this afternoon as the English Defence League staged a protest in Preston. But the city appears to have avoided the large-scale trouble which has blighted similar demonstrations.

Around 1000 EDL protesters gathered in front of the city's Harris Museum at 1pm, chanting, waving flags and letting off fireworks. At the other side of a police cordon, around 250 people had gathered at an anti-EDL demonstration organised by Preston Trades Council and Preston Unite Against Fascism. A police spokesman said: "Although there were minor scuffles among the EDL demonstrators, there were only a handful of arrests for drunken or disorderly behaviour."

The EDL demonstration was called to protest against a larger mosque being built on the site of an existing one in Watling Street Road in Preston.

Preston Citizen

Jewish? Gay? Join us, white extremists say

English Defence League supporters demonstrating in Bradford

A white extremist organisation is forging links with Jewish, Sikh and gay communities to fuel prejudice and fear and hatred of the Muslim community, it was claimed today.

The English Defence League (EDL), which was formed last year in protest at Islamic extremist activity, has also reached out across the Atlantic to build close ties with the American right-wing group, the Tea Party.

Hundreds of EDL members are planning demonstrations in Nuneaton and Preston today to protest at the building of mosques and what they claim is the growing influence in the UK of Sharia law. But a new report, written by Professor Nigel Copsey of Teesside University, warns that the growth of EDL membership will spread Islamophobia in communities sharing a perceived "historical angst" against Muslims.

New branches of the League, such as the Jewish Division, could exploit the existing religious hostilities caused by territorial disputes in the Middle East, says Professor Copsey whose report was commissioned by the organisation Faith Matters. It claims that these inter-faith tensions were brought into sharp focus last month when the senior US Jewish leader and Tea Party activist Rabbi Nachum Shifren denounced Islam at a EDL rally outside the Israeli Embassy in London. Israeli flags have also been spotted at several EDL demonstrations across the UK.

As well as aggravating religious tensions, the EDL has established a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Division to "defend" gay people from Sharia law. There are also specialist divisions for women, soldiers and disabled people. The report warns these communities to be vigilant against "selective racism" and the EDL's attempts at manipulation.

Contributors to the EDL Facebook site confirm that the group wants to work with other minority organisation including those which promote women's rights. One members writes: "After all, leftists have portrayed themselves for decades as the only ones really interested in promoting a progressive and inclusive agenda: homosexual rights, women's equality, minority rights, reproductive rights, immigration, world peace, among others."

One member added: "Remember there is a difference between being anti-Muslim and anti-Islam. We are against the ideology not the people. Let's not forget that many Muslim women and children are victims of their own religion."

But Professor Copsey warned: "True to the spirit of the enemy of my enemy is my friend, the EDL is targeting other ethnic communities. These communities need to guard against approaches by the EDL."

Founder and director of Faith Matters, Fiyaz Mughal, said: "The EDL's main aim is to increase tensions, raise hate and divide communities. Their attempts to portray themselves as a legitimate and open movement cannot disguise their violent, anti-Muslim agenda. This hate can easily mutate against another community."

The EDL membership claim that they are not a racist group. In guidance issuedto its members attending today's rallies the EDL leadership warns: "Violence and racism will not be tolerated. If you are found to be doing this, you will be ejected from the demonstration."

On Monday, EDL founder Stephen Lennon denied assaulting a police officer during clashes with Islamic protesters in west London. He was granted bail and a trial date was set of 12 January. About 30 supporters gathered outside the court, some with EDL placards.

The Faith Matters report is entitled The English Defence League: Challenging Our Country and Our Values of Social Inclusion, Fairness and Equality.

Independent

Concerned over safety, UCLan urges journalism students not to cover EDL march

Journalism students at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) have been urged not to cover the English Defence League protests being held in Preston on Saturday because of safety concerns.

In an email to students at the journalism school, journalism division leader Julie Freer explained that authorities in the city are advising all members of the public to stay away from Preston city centre "because of the potential trouble and the risk of personal injury". A march organised by campaign group Unite Against Fascists is also taking place and a football match between Preston North End and Millwall is scheduled.

"We recognise that this will be a major news story across the region, if not nationally. However, we have come to the conclusion that we cannot allow students to cover these events for any assignment or reporting exercise and we will not allow our equipment to be hired out. This isn't a decision we have taken lightly. We have taken advice from the university and from industry professionals who will be covering the event," says Freer in the email.

"I know that many of you will be disappointed to read this and may have planned to go along to cover such a big story in Preston. However ... experienced journalists have serious concerns about covering the march and professional news organisations are taking special measures to ensure the safety of their staff. We are not in the position to be able to do this and we don't feel this is a suitable event where trainee journalists can practice their skills."

Staff at UCLan have been instructed not sign equipment hire forms allowing journalism students to lease equipment for the weekend unless staff are satisifed that it will not be used in the surrounding area of the march.

But speaking to Journalism.co.uk, third year journalism student and co-editor of Blog Preston Andy Halls said the decision has frustrated some students.

"I'm still most definitely covering it [the march] for Blog Preston, and there's a number of students helping us out. Apparently my decision to cover it has not gone down well with the journalism department, for safety reasons of course. But we are a journalism department, and this is journalism. If they want us to be reporting hard news, they'll have to let us make our own decisions," he said.

"We understand our students' frustrations and, of course, we would normally encourage them to cover an important news story in Preston. However, after taking advice from our industry contacts, it became clear that news organisations were putting special security arrangements in place to ensure the safety of their staff covering this event. We are not in a position to do this," a UCLan spokesperson told Journalism.co.uk.

"Our journalism students are on a learning curve at university and, given their safety is paramount, sometimes we have to distinguish between what is an appropriate event for a student journalist to attend as opposed to an experienced professional journalist. It is for these reasons we have said they should not attempt to report on this march."

journalism.co.uk

Oppose the racist EDL in Preston

On Saturday 27 November the racist English Defence League (EDL) intend to hold a “protest” in the centre of Preston.

Where the EDL march and assemble unopposed they have launched attacks on minority and Muslim communities. In Dudley, Nuneaton and Stoke their presence led to vicious assaults on people because of the colour of their skin. We cannot let this happen in Preston.

Preston Unite Against Fascism & Preston Trades Council are calling on all anti-racists and all anti-fascists to join us in the centre of Preston to celebrate our multi-cultural city, to assert our commitment to anti-racism and to let the EDL know they are not welcome here.

Join the Protest: No to the EDL,
No to Racism, No to Fascism and No to Islamophobia

Saturday 27 November, 12 noon
Preston Fish Market (covered market, Birley St)

To book a seat from the Barrow/South Cumbria area, please tel or text 07814 563557, or e-mail juniperx@tiscali.co.uk. To book from the Lancaster area, call 07722 954768 (Lancaster coach costs £6 or £4 concessions).

Note: We would advise anyone travelling to Preston on the 27th to avoid the train if possible. If you're planning to travel by car, we would recommend that you arrange to meet others on your arrival in Preston. Safety in numbers and all that.

Anti-fascists angry at police handling of racist protest

Anger is growing in Preston over the police’s handling of a planned march by the racist English Defence League (EDL) this Saturday. Preston Unite Against Fascism (UAF) and the Trades Council called a counter-protest and booked the Flag Market in the city centre as soon as the EDL announced their plans.

But police intervention has meant that the EDL have been allocated this site—close to where the majority of Preston's Asian community live. The police have also been conducting a widespread campaign to stop local people from joining the counter-protest.

A number of community leaders have challenged the behaviour and decisions of the police. Imam Farook Kazi, director of Al-Ansaar Welfare & Education in Preston, said, “The Muslim community in Preston has enjoyed excellent relations with all sections of the wider community for the past 40 plus years, and I hope and pray this will always be the case. I was born in this city and I am proud to be a Prestonian.

"Although the official statement from Preston City Council is extremely supportive and clearly rejects the ideology of groups such as the EDL. But the Flag Market being given to the EDL despite a previous booking [by UAF] undermines this statement and actually gives 'credibility' to the EDL. I strongly feel that this matter should be thoroughly investigated, as it could set precedence for future events.”

John Browne, Labour councillor for Preston's Brookfield ward, has also criticised the decision saying that he is “angry” that a sizeable part of the population will be unable to use the town centre. He added, “The fact that this week is also Inter- Faith week compounds the disgrace.”

Mukhtar Master, a Muslim community representative, said, “I am delighted by the anti-racist support offered to the community. However, I am puzzled and perplexed as to why Lancashire police have given the EDL the most prominent site for their divisive demonstration. The decision effectively showcases the EDL in our city.”

Activists are mobilising for the largest possible turnout on the counter-protest. Students from the University of Central Lancashire have organised a feeder march from the university to join it.

"We've had an excellent response from university and college students and there will be a good turnout on the day," said Paul Jenkins, a UAF organiser. “Anti-fascists from across the north west of England are traveling to Preston to join us.”

Michael Lavalette, the independent socialist councillor for Preston's Town Centre Ward, said, "It is an outrage that a racist demonstration has been given access to the Flag Market and that our anti-racist assembly has been relegated to Birley Street. It is vital that we have as big a turnout as possible. We want to show the real, multicultural and anti-racist face of Preston on Saturday. The EDL are not welcome here."

Socialist Worker Online

Thanks to NewsHound for the heads-up

Bible event defiance in face of far-right march

A far-right group’s planned gathering outside a church will not disturb a marathon bible event, organisers vowed today.

The English Defence League (EDL) is planning to meet opposite Preston Minster, on Church Street, Preston, and walk to the Flag Market on Saturday November 27. While up to 1,000 members of the EDL assemble close to the church, a four-day bible reading event will be ongoing inside the church. Unite Against Fascism (UAF) has also applied to hold a similar event on the same day, in opposition to the EDL’s presence.

Throughout this week Fr Timothy Lipscomb, vicar of Preston, will be attending meetings to ensure everything possible is done to prevent any disruption. He said: “It won’t affect it because we won’t let them in to do anything to disturb it. There will be lots of people around, that’s a good thing because it will be well staffed. I will not condone people using religion for something which is absolutely not.”

Fr Lipscomb said he is confident the group’s message will largely fall on deaf ears in the city but fears ‘vulnerable people’ could be taken in. He said: “It undermines the confidence in the city and it is frightening for people who are vulnerable or are easily led. Those who are going through a bad time in life are more vulnerable to people who will bully them and frighten them. They are very clever in the way they do it.”

Preston Coun Salim Desai, who represents the Town Centre ward, said it will be the event inside the church which best represents the city. He said: “It is two extremes. On the one end, they are doing this march and on the other they are doing an all-night bible reading over the weekend. They will have different religions there taking part in readings from the New Testament. It is a multi-cultural event, it shows how the community here has come together, how integrated we are and how many dialogues there are. These people (EDL) are visitors who do not know what goes on in Preston. These people are so isolated and they have got no support or roots in Preston.”

Preston Council was due to meet yesterday evening to discuss the rally. A spokesman for the English Defence League was unavailable for comment.

Lancashire Evening Post

Thanks to NewsHound for the heads-up

Fears grow over EDL city protest

Police contain an earlier EDL march

Police patrols are to be stepped up around Preston’s mosques on Saturday as around 1,200 protesters head into the city to take part in two demonstrations.

Chief Supt Tim Jacques, head of Preston Police, revealed the plans ahead of the demonstration by the English Defence League and counter demonstration by Unite Against Facism and the Trade Union Council. The protests coincide with the PNE v Millwall game at Deepdale.

Police officers’ days off have been cancelled and specially trained public order officers are being drafted in from other parts of the county to support the policing operation, which will see the mounted branch, road police and other units taking to city centre streets. The two groups of demonstrators will be in the city’s Flag Market with temporary low level fencing to separate them.

Today Chief Supt Jacques said it would be one of the biggest police operations seen in Preston in recent years but insisted the city was “open for business as usual” on Saturday - the fourth week before Christmas and the first official Christmas shopping weekend. He also moved to calm fears of violence that has been seen in similar demonstrations in other cities.

He said: “We are working with the community and police officers are going to be in the areas where the mosques are on Saturday to reassure people. We have had lots of meetings with the mosques and are working with the demonstration organisers in terms of minimising the impact. There are no planned demonstrations outside any mosques but it is in our minds. Our number one priority is keeping people in the city safe and to minimise disruption on a busy Saturday before Christmas.”

He said the force would be making a proportionate response to any threats and added: “There’s no doubt there will be a lot of police officers in Preston and in surrounding areas. All the information we have suggests we can facilitate two lawful and peaceful demonstrations.

“It will be one of the biggest operations seen in Preston in terms of planning but on terms of what we are dealing with it is smaller - in the past we have dealt with 6,000 Premier League fans coming into the city. We have to look at the context of where we are as a city - some of the backdrop of the places of previous demonstrations are different. Preston is a pretty cohesive city so our starting point is different to other places.”

Lancashire Evening Post

Lancashire Police gears up for EDL rally in Preston

Lancashire Police say they are working hard to ensure a planned demonstration by the English Defence League (EDL) next week causes minimum disruption.

The EDL demonstration in Preston city centre on Saturday, November 27, is likely to attract a counter event from Unite Against Fascism, police said. Police and council chiefs want people to be able to go about their daily business despite the gatherings, which have caused flashpoints of trouble at similar events elsewhere, including Bolton.

Chief Superintendent Tim Jacques, divisional commander for central division, said: "We want to make sure that Preston remains open for business as usual on the day and that there is no disruption to daily life, although obviously there will be a highly visible police presence throughout the day."

Preston Citizen

Man cleared of racially abusing BNP leader

An Asian man was cleared today of racially abusing BNP leader Nick Griffin. Tauriq Khalid, 23, denied shouting "white bastards" at far-right demonstrators in his home town of Burnley, Lancashire, in November last year.

A jury of five women and seven men cleared Khalid of one count of using racially abusive threatening behaviour after deliberating for 45 minutes following a three-day trial at Preston Crown Court.

Tauriq Khalid, 23, told Preston Crown Court that he shouted derisory comments from his car window at far-right BNP demonstrators outside Burnley police station.

Mark Stuart, defending, asked Khalid: “Was that abuse you gave to them based on the fact they were white people?”

“No,” Khalid replied.

“Did you make any racist remarks?” asked Mr Stuart.

“None at all,” Khalid replied.

Khalid, from Burnley, Lancashire, denies one charge of using racially abusive threatening behaviour against Mr Griffin. Khalid admitted driving past Burnley police station, where the BNP leader was giving media interviews, two or three times.

He told the jury of five women and seven men that he had not known in advance about the BNP demonstration on November 19 last year. He said when he drove past the demonstrators: “I had my window down and just shouted ‘get out of Burnley’ then I put my window back up once I had said that.”

Khalid admitted shouting the remark more than once when questioned by his defence barrister. The second time he drove past, about 15 minutes later and accompanied by a friend, he admitted shouting: “Griffin, you fucking wanker”.

Khalid said he also made further remarks. He said: “I was shouting ‘get the fuck out of Burnley’, about three or four times, ‘you’re not welcome here’.”

Mr Stuart asked him: “A number of witnesses have you pointing your fingers in a gun at Mr Griffin.”

“I didn’t do that,” Khalid replied, adding, “I might have done the V sign, but not the gun.”

“Why did you think you might have done that but not the gun,” said Mr Stuart.

Khalid replied: “They were sticking fingers up, my first reaction most likely was like that back to them. I was a bit angry.”

He added: “I shouldn’t have done what I done really, it was just spur of the moment thing.”

Khalid admitted he had a poor recollection of the events of the day.

The Herald

BNP leader gives evidence in Burnley protest case

BNP leader Nick Griffin told a jury that he was subjected to racist abuse by a motorist who made a gun gesture towards him and threatened to shoot or kill him.

The politician was giving evidence at Preston Crown Court in the trial of a Burnley man accused of causing racially aggravated fear or provocation of violence while a British National Party demo was taking place in Burnley town centre over the arrest of four people.

Tauqir Khalid (23), of Windermere Avenue, Burnley, denies the charge relating to alleged events on the afternoon of November 19th last year. A demonstration was taking place outside the police station on Parker Lane over arrests which involved some leaflets. Mr Griffin told the court that some people had hooted support for the demonstration that afternoon, while others were not in favour. He gave a number of TV, radio and newspaper interviews that day.

In an initial incident, an Asian man in a taxi shouted abuse which he could not quite catch. There followed a second incident with a different car as an asian male shouted "white bastards" through his open window. He claimed the same vehicle returned a few minutes later, with the man making a gang gun gesture at him, with two fingers straightened out.

Mr Griffin told the court: "He shouted out 'Griffin you b... I'm going to...'. I took it to be 'kill you or shoot you'. It went at the same time of the gun gesture."

He said he took advice and for a short time decided to withdraw himself from the demo. "We decided it would be good to make myself scarce in case he came back and tried to shoot me".

He rejoined the demonstration about half-an-hour later. The court heard that someone noted the registration number on a "vote BNP" placard.

Mr Ian Metcalfe (prosecuting) said Khalid was arrested and interviewed about a month later. He admitted driving past the demo two to three times, but claims he had merely told Mr Griffin "get out of Burnley" and had possibly directed a V sign at him. Under cross examination by Mr Mark Stuart (defending), it was claimed that the words "white bastards" had not been shouted at him, but rather "Nick Griffin you fucking wanker".

Mr Griffin said he did not believe he had got it wrong and in response to a question from the judge, he said he was not lying about it. Mr Griffin disagreed with a suggestion that the words "get out of Burnley" had been shouted at him. He maintained that a gun gesture had been made to towards him and not a V sign.

He added: "I'm quite used to having people flick various gestures at me and it doesn't bother me. There is a difference between a gesture like that. It is a direct threat. There's nothing political about threat."

The trial is expected to expected to last three days.

Burnley Express

CCTV call after yobs smash gravestones

Yobs desecrated Jewish and Muslim gravestones in a spate of vandalism in Preston Cemetery.

Headstones were smashed in half and pushed to the ground and there are calls for CCTV cameras to catch the vandals.

Louts targeted the Hebrew and Muslim sections of the New Hall Lane site with some graves dating back to 1925 damaged. In the Muslim section, stones were toppled while memorial areas were trampled on and flowers ripped out. Yobs are believed to have climbed into the cemetery before jumping over separate fences.

Police today said the vandalism was "indiscriminate" and not deliberately anti-Semitic or anti-Muslim. But Iqbal Adam, chairman of Preston's Muslim Burial Society, said of the vandals: "They are not being civilised – they don't have feelings for anybody. They just make fun out of it – it's pretty bad. These gravestones are people and they are memories for the families. I feel very sorry for the families.It would be much better if they had CCTV."

Mr Adam – who said nothing had been sprayed on the damaged gravestones to suggest it was a racist attack – said work had begun to repair the damage.

Graham Lewis, trustee of the Preston Hebrew Congregation, said: "We are very distressed and for the families concerned who are very upset."

When asked if the attacks were racially motivated, he said: "I don't know. Given there was damage to the Muslim section and the Jewish section, it does not appear to be a deliberate target only to the Jewish community."

Det Insp Dave McKenna said: "They have damaged confined areas in the cemetery and pushed over some headstones in the Jewish and Muslim sections. We've been investigating and there is no suggestion of any racist overtones. We just think it's indiscriminate vandalism. We will be looking to take preventative measures in the future, such as CCTV. And we're appealing for anyone with information to get in touch."

A Preston Council spokesman said: "Since we began locking the main cemetery gates two and a half years ago, incidents of vandalism have decreased by 50%. Since this unfortunate incident we have begun closing the gates to the Hebrew and Muslim sections to act as a further deterrent. We are also in the process of applying for funding for cemetery railings which would further increase security.

"The issue of CCTV is one which we have looked into, however we do not believe it is feasible for a number of reasons. There are huge costs involved, the large number of surrounding trees make it impossible for all areas to be covered by cameras but, most importantly, people feel they are intrusive and the cemetery is a place that should be private."

Lancashire Evening Post

Blackburn taxi driver’s racist ordeal

A taxi driver was subjected to a frightening racist ordeal by a passenger who made a grab for him as he drove down the road.

Mumtaz Khan was abused by Steven Ashe who also ripped off his identity badge and put an arm around his neck. A judge described the incident as disgraceful when he sentenced 34-year-old Ashe to 12 months' supervision.

The defendant, of Christ Church Street, Preston, had denied an offence of racially aggravated common assault, but was convicted by magistrates and committed to Preston Crown Court for sentence.

Mr Khan, a driver for Intack Private hire in Blackburn, picked up three people near the Lotus garage in Rishton. He said the fare for drop-offs in Preston and Blackpool would be £40 to £45 and asked for the money up front. Ashe gave him £30 and said he would pay the rest later. During the journey Mr Khan could see Ashe looking at him in his mirror. Ashe said: "Don't give me evils or I'll rip your eyes out."

He insinuated that the driver was an illegal immigrant and added: "You aren't a proper taxi driver. Let me see your badge."

He ripped the badge off Mr Khan who gave him his money back and turned the vehicle around to go to the police station. Ashe then put his right arm around Mr Khan's neck to try and strangle him. He later took the keys from the ignition and threw them into a grass verge.

Judge Robert Brown said it had been disgraceful conduct. He told Ashe: "He could clearly have lost control and caused damage to yourselves or anyone else who was on the road at the time". Ashe was ordered to pay Mr Khan £200 compensation.

Blackburn Citizen

£370,000 to fight race hate

The biggest ever attempt to combat race hate in Lancashire will be spearheaded by equality chiefs who have secured a £370,000 grant.

Preston and West Lancashire Racial Equality Council (REC) is celebrating a major cash injection from the Lottery's Reaching Communities programme, which will allow it to expand its Race Hate Awareness campaign for the next five years. It comes two years after the city was shamed as England's worst trouble spot for racist incidents – and 10 months after the British National Party secured votes in city elections.

A year ago the LEP revealed incidents in Lancashire's schools were also at an all-time high – with nearly 472 reported to the county's education authority in 2004/2005 compared to 351 the previous period. But the project aims to stop trends like this by educating the public, especially schoolchildren, on the effects of racism and prejudices.

Chief executive Faruk Desai MBE said: "The grant will enable us to provide much needed assistance to victims of racism.

"The funding will allow us to support the public sector in developing and implementing policies spanning much of Lancashire in order to make it a safer and cohesive place for all, and targeted outreach services will be provided through this funding to those district areas most in need."

Lancashire Evening Post

Mosque leaflet man could be charged

The group which delivered anti-Muslim leaflets to homes in Preston may be prosecuted. But the man behind the literature, which attacked plans to expand the Masjid-e-Salaam mosque in Fulwood, hit back at his critics and said he was entitled to have his say.

The police have conceded British National Party member Tony Bamber may be protected under human rights legislation.

Officers say they have received "a significant number" of complaints after the leaflets peddling anti-Muslim views were delivered to homes in Fulwood, Ingol and Cottam. They are now investigating if the Preston Pals group, named after a battalion of First World War soldiers from the city, can be prosecuted under race-hate laws.

Sgt Mike Chadwick, of Preston Police diversity team, said they were investigating the leaflets, but had to ensure prosecution was not against the group's human rights. He said: "We have to balance the human rights of the leaflets' authors and recognise the importance of freedom of speech, but we are treating these complaints very seriously."

He also confirmed police had spoken to Mr Bamber, of Greenbank Street, Plungington, who stood as a candidate for the BNP in last year's council elections. However, Mr Bamber said he was "entitled to speak his mind" on an issue he insisted concerned a lot of people across Preston and said he had received many letters of support.

Lancashire Evening Post

England First pair quit party

More chaos in EFP as councillor races ex-leader to be first out the door

Both England First councillors for Blackburn with Darwen are leaving the far-right party. Coun Michael Johnson, who represents Fernhurst, will tonight quit to join the new party For Darwen, created last week. And Coun Mark Cotterill, who represents Meadowhead, will stand down as a councillor and leader of party at the local elections on May 3.

It comes less than a year after the England First Party gained the seats on the council.

Coun Johnson said he had told Coun Cotterill three weeks ago of his plan to quit because he did not like the direction the party was taking, and had felt out of the loop. Coun Cotterill said his own resignation was down to moving to Preston where he had a job outside politics.

His spokesman said the timing of the pair's resignations were "just a coincidence". He denied that Coun Cotterill was leaving because he did not see a future for the party on the council without Coun Johnson.

The pair fell out publicly in December after Coun Cotterill posted a link from the party's website to a YouTube video that depicted Jesus making an offensive hand gesture and hurtful remarks about Islam. Coun Johnson said he found the material offensive but Coun Cotterill said the video was amusing.

Coun Johnson said: "I feel that with For Darwen I am going back to my roots. Fernhurst might be in Lower Darwen but to say Lower Darwen is in Blackburn is like calling a pheasant a peacock. I think we will be able to achieve more than England First could have."

Both Coun Johnson and Coun Cotterill were elected in May 2006 and the party was immediately labelled racist after details of its manifesto, which had included banning non-white footabllers from the England squad, were revealed.

Lancashire Telegraph

England First Party's new chairman is convicted electoral fraudster

The England First Party (EFP) chairman Mark Cotterill, has resigned and is handing over the reins to convicted electoral fraudster Steve Smith. Smith, the former organiser for the British National Party's Burnley branch, has taken over immediately, following Cotterill's announcement that he is leaving to take up a new job in Preston.

Steve Smith followed the usual path of the English nazi, first being involved in the BNP, moving away from that when he was about to be convicted for electoral fraud and into the British People's Party (a more hardcore nazi group led by alcoholic Eddie Morrison and moronic Redwatch organiser Kevin Watmough), then drifting on to the EFP when he realised that the BPP was a dead duck.

EFP have managed to con the voters into putting two third-rate councillors into office in Blackburn, Cotterill himself and pub-owner Michael Johnson, and Smith is obviously hoping the party can build on that and add him to the list.

Smith's pedigree is just about what one would expect from a veteran of the BNP, BPP and EFP. A couple of years back he resigned from the BNP, ostensibly over its treatment of his nephew Luke Smith, former Burnley BNP councillor, football hooligan and violent thug extraordinaire. Following an incident where he smashed a bottle into the face of someone with whom he was having a disagreement at the BNP's annual 'family' do, the Red, White and Blue Festival, the BNP unceremoniously dumped him, much to Uncle Steve's chagrin. The BNP seemed perfectly content with Luke Smith's record of hooliganism; it just didn't like it when he got a bit more personal. The party of law and order, huh?

The real reason Steve Smith resigned was that he was about to be convicted for electoral fraud, which led to his being sentenced to six months on January 16th, 2002. He admitted to allowing false nominations to be submitted for the 2001 elections and received the sentence plus the statutory five-year ban on standing for public office.

Mark Cotterill, the outgoing EFP Chairman, is the main former fundraiser for the BNP via the now defunct American Friends of the BNP, who went off in a huff to start his own group, the England First Party (EFP), after a major fall-out with Nick Griffin over, rumour has it, large quantities of cash disappearing. Curious how most of the more prominent ex-BNP people resigned over money issues (with the dishonourable exception of Tony Lecomber), particularly given ex-bankrupt Nick Griffin's personal financial history.

The skills that Smith displayed when he was a BNP organiser will hopefully cause chaos in the EFP. His proteges include his ghastly nephew Luke, Maureen Stowe, who eventually resigned and led a campaign against the BNP, and the truly appalling Brian Turner, a violent racist who was convicted of assaulting his wife and a police officer in September 2005, a conviction that he can add to his previous eleven and his most recent, of racially abusing a group of Asian men in May 2006.

With the supremely untalented Smith in charge, we should see the demise of the England First Party within a year or two. We look forward to it.

Note: The '14 words' message on Smith's T-shirt refers to a corruption of a statement in Volume 1, Chapter 8 of Mein Kampf, commonly given as 'We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children'. A well-used nazi phrase.