Anger as BNP targets town with racist video

Local politicians have slammed a disturbing British National Party (BNP) video that is using Horley as a focal point to win support.

The notorious far-right party has been blasted for "frightening people with factually incorrect information" by posting a four-minute film on video sharing site YouTube. They say it exploits serious issues surrounding the Horley Master Plan in an attempt to justify its bigoted policies, with the film itself featuring shocking racist terminology. And Councillor Mike Miller, ward councillor for Horley West, condemned the video as "a load of rubbish".

He disputed the party's claims that 1,500 homes would be constructed in the northwest sector of the plan, and 1,100 homes in the north-east sector. Mr Miller said the actual figures are 1,400 and 700 respectively, with an additional 500 homes to be built on brownfield sites within Horley. And he added the party's views on race were "best ignored".

A BNP activist unashamedly uses the phrase "white-flight" in the film, an inflammatory term used to describe the migration of Caucasians from multi-ethnic inner-city areas.

Mr Miller said: "I'm not in favour of right-wing parties like them. They want to eradicate anything but the English and we don't live in that sort of world and that sort of society."

Town councillor Mike George condemned the BNP, led by Nick Griffin, for "mischief-making" and playing the "race card". He said: "The Master Plan is controversial on the issues of planning and flooding.The race card has not entered into any of the discussions that we have had. It's purely speculation on their part as to who are going to fill the houses."

And Mr George, chairman of the Court Lodge Residents' Association, also accused the party of political opportunism. He said: "They are a bit late in the day. The plan has now been fully discussed, it has been consulted on, so it is a bit late for them to say this is an issue they are concerned about. I would say: 'Why now, and why Horley?'."

Mr George's accusations of opportunism appear justified, with the BNP only now adopting the pretence of concern about building on floodplain and green-belt land, despite the Master Plan having been in the pipeline since 1994. Instead, the film provides a disturbing insight into the party's bigotry, with activist Steve Horne claiming much of the development in Horley will house so-called "white-flight".

He says: "Undoubtedly some of the people in Horley will live here,or move here. But I believe most of the people who are going to live here will come from London, what's known as white flight - people that aren't happy with what's going on in London at the moment and want to escape to the countryside. It's towns like Horley that have to suffer this in the long term."

When consulted about the video, Simon Darby, press officer for the BNP,was disarmingly honest about the party's racist stance, saying that "people liked to live among themselves". He said: "With more and more people coming in and more and more people wanting to get out and live in semi-sub-urban areas, there's really no escape from liberal multi-culturalism. Whereas people used to think they could live in a nice area and send their children to a predominantly white school, that sadly is no longer the case."

Surrey Mirror

Sickening racist response to assault on mother and baby

As BBC News Scotland reports a serious sexual assault on a refugee mother AND her baby son, habitues of the Nazi Stormfront website - hangout of BNP leaders and members - plumb new depths of bigotry and hatred.

From BBC News Scotland: "An asylum seeker and her baby were sexually assaulted as she took the child out in his pram, police said... Police believe the assault, which happened on the cycle path between Plean Street and Dyke Road, was racially-motivated. A group of about four men threw stones at the pair and kicked the woman. One man exposed himself and sexually assaulted the woman. He then assaulted the child and attempted to perform an indecent act on him." Full story here.

The Stormfront reaction?

The Iceni: I See the police are treating it as racial then...Lets see, no witnesses, and an asylum seeker.. might help with her claim, Trauma etc...Plus I doubt many White men would find an Algerian woman complete with headscarf particularly erotic unless they were drugged up..I might be wrong but I dont think we will see this story again...The police have to treat drivel like this as though its a crime of the century...

always white: I don't believe the story.

The Iceni: Me neither, they should treat all the Black on White rapes as racial if they treat this as one....Wouldn't that be a sight to behold...

The Oakleaf: To be honest, I couldn't care less. I doubt the perpetrators were white. ...

whiteandalive: Nor do I on this. This don't go on in London or anywhere else. I've never heard of Whites raping or sexually assaulting Black Women let alone a Muslim Algerian and her child. Its more like a story to get a nice council flat and British Citizenship.

Cliveyboy: I think it likely the police said the woman claimed or reported this, but the BBC, which is institutionally racist against White Males, reports it as fact.

de ecxidio: Our very own Duke 'rape' case, perhaps. More likely total BS, though. The timing is certainly suspect. Wonder who put her up to it? Like we can't guess.

People very like this are probably seeking election to YOUR local council. They wear suits and bright smiles and claim to be simple patriots. The truth of them is very different. Do you really want bigots just like this representing YOU and YOUR district?

Voice of reason

Race hate campaign features swastika stickers

Police have launched an investigation over claims that a neo-nazi gang has launched a campaign of hate in Shawclough.

It comes after the Observer was alerted to several fluorescent stickers said to originate from extremist group Combat 18 were posted on lampposts across Heights Lane. Depicting a masked man holding a gun and a swastika logo, the notices warn that the group which has links to violence and arson attacks is ‘in the area’.

Ward Councillor Elwyn Watkins visited the alleged crime scene after he was notified by a concerned friend, who had swiftly removed a number of the offensive stickers.

He said: “This is a nice area where everyone gets on with everyone. We do not want these racist thugs here. While areas like Burnley and Oldham have been subject to race riots, Rochdale has not. We want it to stay that way.”

He added: “I have heard of other cases where stickers such as these have been removed only to find razorblades tucked away underneath. I would urge anyone who sees one of these stickers not to remove them but contact the council’s environmental management department.”

Muslim campaigners at the Ramadhan Foundation are also calling for a zero-tolerance approach. Spokesman Mohammed Shafiq said: “We are absolutely appalled by this sort of behaviour. The vast majority of people will not tolerate will not tolerate these thugs, bigots and criminals in Rochdale. I urge the public to stay calm.”

The stickers will now be examined by forensic experts, while Rochdale north Inspector Stuart Hey is also asking anyone with information to come forward by calling 0161 856 8523. He said: “We are taking this matter very seriously.”

The Asian News