Fuel protest activist leaves BNP after punch-up at RWB

An activist who once led fuel protests across the country and recently secured the BNP's best byelection result in its 25-year history after standing in Tony Blair's constituency has left the party after a punch-up with a senior official.

Andrew Spence polled almost 2,500 votes in last month's Sedgefield contest and beat seven other candidates to finish in fourth place behind the three mainstream parties.

Despite polling almost 9% of the vote to secure the party's best byelection result since it was formed, the County Durham farmer said he had now left the party as it was "not what he thought".

The punch-up happened at the BNP's Red White and Blue festival, in Derbyshire, last weekend and Mr Spence today confirmed he had thrown punches at the party treasurer, John Walker, and got involved with publicity head Mark Collett.

It is not known exactly what sparked the incident but speaking from his County Durham farm today, Mr Spence said: "There was a major disagreement and punches were thrown. It's really saddened me that it came to this but the BNP is not the party I thought it was."

Mr Spence, who led the September 2000 fuel protests, said he had joined the party in good faith and still supported the rank and file members.

The farmer, who was labelled a "people's champion" for his rallying calls during the protests, added: "I made some good friends and was proud to be in the party. When I first joined the party it had a common-sense approach to tackling issues that matter to people. I wish the BNP the very best of luck at grass roots level but there are some things that just cannot be forgiven."

The police were not called to the incident which was handled by the festival's own security and no further action is expected to be taken.

The two-and-a-half day event was said to have attracted about 3,000 people from across the UK and as far afield as the US, Sweden, South Africa and Germany. Party bosses hailed the event a huge success that ran smoothly.

The BNP today said the incident involving Mr Spence and Mr Walker was of "no consequence" and did not detract from the success of the event.

Party press officer Dr Phil Edwards, said today: "This issue is an internal, family matter within the party and of no consequence or interest to anyone outside the party. There's no further comment to make about it."

Guardian

24 groups join town's fight to stop the BNP

Schools, churches and companies are flocking to sign up to an anti-racism initiative launched by a Leeds MP

Morley and Rothwell Labour MP Colin Challen launched the "Morley Together" campaign after a British National Party candidate in Morley South was elected to Leeds City Council last year – the first BNP councillor in the city. Mr Challen said he had launched the campaign because he did not want to see the town become a "battleground of hatred".

Last year, church leaders and others protested after anti-racism leafleters were physically attacked in the area.

Within days of the launch of the "Morley Together" campaign, seven local companies and other organisations had signed up and were presented with certificates. Now the list has grown to 24.

Mr Challen said: "I am delighted with the response so far. Local schools have responded magnificently, and this is in no small part due to the launch of the Stephen Lawrence Project locally. I have already attended a project event and will be going to more shortly. There is no doubt that there is a shared responsibility to tackle the problems racism and xenophobia cause and to eradicate the damaging image of negativity which could attach itself to Morley if people think these are our values. They very clearly are not."

Signatories to the initiative commit themselves to these principles:

Morley Together demonstrates that local people reject the politics of hate and xenophobia. We declare that we are committed to promoting understanding and tolerance between people regardless of their ethnic and religious background or where they are from.

Principles

We believe that Morley has a long history of welcoming a broad spectrum of people, and that only by being outward-looking can we ensure that the town thrives. The renewal of Morley depends on the encouragement of co-operation and understanding.

We therefore pledge that we will actively encourage all those whom we meet to promote these values and reject racism outright.

Groups signing the pledge so far are: Morley Town Council, Bruntcliffe School, Fountain Primary School, Woodkirk High School, St Francis Catholic Primary School, Churwell Primary School, Hilltop Primary School, Morley Church of the Nazarene, Greens Decorating, Victoria Business Systems, LP Supplies Ltd, Ravenheat Manufacturing Ltd, Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors, Frank W Dobby and Co Chartered Accountants, Asquith Primary School, Vivian House Residential Home, Blackgates Primary School, Seven Hills Primary School, National Flexible Ltd, Kelly Williams Chartered Accountants, Gildersome Primary School, Morley High School, The Fountain Medical Centre, and Westerton Primary School.

Yorkshire Evening Post