Backlash against BNP

Church leaders have come together to condemn the BNP over the far-right party’s latest attempts to claw their way into the town hall. Eight candidates are standing in next month’s local elections, the largest contingent ever in Tameside.

The Rev John Holland, of Christ Church, Ashton, said: "I cannot support anything that breeds division and resentment between people of different cultural backgrounds. It is disappointing to see Waterloo as one of the wards chosen to field a candidate. We enjoy a very good relationship with people of other faiths. In fact, the church is being used this weekend for a Hindu funeral. The BNP are a divisive element. We are all God’s creation and although we may know him by different names, humanity is about wholeness. The BNP want to destroy that."

Waheed Ahmed, Imam at the Katherine Street mosque, Ashton, said: "In my time here, racial aggravation has never reared its ugly head. Certainly not on the scale of nearby towns such as Oldham and Burnley. People should support political parties which are working for the good of all people, be it in relation to race, colour and class or trying to create harmony and peace among all. I’d urge everyone not to vote for the BNP or anyone else who advocates hate and violence."

The Rev Philip Burrows, of Mottram Church, said: "I am not shocked by the amount of candidates standing. I have spoken out about this in the past. I don’t think membership of the BNP is compatible with a loving Christian faith."

Dr Phil Edwards, BNP national press spokesman, said: "The church seems to have forgotten that they’re here to preach the gospel, not to interfere in the democratic process. There is nothing un-Christian about being a member of the BNP. It is a shame the Muslim leaders in this country are expanding their religion while Christian leaders are allowing our religion to wither away."

Tameside Advertiser

Race-hate letter link to hoax bridge bomb

Police are linking a hoax bomb found strapped to a bridge by Nazis and race-hate letters sent to schools.

Traffic ground to a halt last month as bomb disposal experts exploded a suspect package on the A27. Detectives found a swastika nearby while a pro-Nazi group is believed to be behind the stunt.

Now it is thought the same culprits are responsible for sending hate letters to faith schools in the area. Police have refused to reveal which schools have been sent the letters on request of the headteachers.

Hampshire police spokesman Neil Miller said: 'I can't say which schools have had letters delivered, but they are all in the Havant area. On the content of the letters, at this time all we can say is that the motive of the content is to provoke racial tension or hatred. It is a very sensitive issue and police investigations are being thoroughly conducted. We will deal with those responsible in a robust manner.'

The A27, near Havant, was brought to a standstill on February 7 after all three lanes were closed in both directions.

A member of the public reported a suspect package on the bridge alongside a 3ft by 2ft cardboard sign with a red swastika on it. Below the Nazi sign was the website address of the far-right extremist American group, the National Socialist Movement.

Police say there is a definite link between the bomb and the letters.

Havant's district commander, Chief Inspector Gary Cooper, said: 'We have had a hate crime reported in the form of letters. Some of the same details left with the hoax bomb also appear on the letters. Some kind of pro-Nazi extremist organisation is behind the letters, which are forming part of the investigation into the fake bomb.'

Investigating officer Detective Constable Rob Lowe, from Waterlooville CID, added: 'We are treating it very seriously. These letters have been getting our full attention.'

The News