BNP members accused of Aberdeen attack

Trial hears alleged victim defaced billboard

Two BNP members attacked a protester who pelted one of their Aberdeen billboards in the run-up to the General Election, a court has heard.

It was alleged Stefan Knust, 21, was racially assaulted after he paint-bombed a British National Party poster on Aberdeen’s Great Northern Road.

Gregor Thomson, 44, whose address was given in court papers as 10A Summerfield Place, Aberdeen, and Steven Thomson, 20, whose address was given as 5 Gibblestone House, Shetland, both deny assault.

The trial continues at Aberdeen Sheriff Court next month.

Evening Express

BNP hires security guards for poster

Furious BNP chiefs have drafted in security guards - to protect a POSTER

The far-right party splashed out £2,000 on its first billboard campaign in Scotland. But just hours after the massive sign was unveiled, it was targeted by outraged protesters and torn down. And since being replaced, the poster has been pelted with paint, covered in graffiti branding the BNP "nazi scum" and even set on fire. The party has now hired two security guards to keep an eye on the Aberdeen billboard round the clock.

Barry Scott, the BNP's north east organiser, said: "We thought we might get a problem with graffiti but we never expected the poster would be destroyed. If people have a problem with the BNP we would rather they emailed us."

On their website, the BNP boasts that the poster on Aberdeen's Great Northern Road is "yet another breakthrough" for the party. But local Labour councillor George Adam said: "There are certainly people who are extremely concerned about this, who think the poster is offensive."

And Ken Ferguson, of the Scottish Socialist Party, added: "It's not surprising that a poster for the BNP has attracted hostility. Their racist views are repugnant to the vast majority of people in Scotland."

Grampian Police said four men aged between 20 and 25 have been charged in connection with three incidents involving the billboard.

Sun

BNP billboard bites the dust

Now you see it...

...and now you (almost) don't.