BNP under fire as veterans challenge claims made by 85-year-old ‘war hero’ supporter

Bob Head, far right, on a BNP poster. Look closely at those medals.

The BNP are facing embarrassing questions over the authenticity of a D-Day veteran featured on their website pledging his support and acting as a ­recruiting sergeant

Bob Head, 85, who describes himself as a hero and Normandy veteran, issued a statement last week calling on his “fellow patriots” to “fight against the destruction of our beloved Britain”. But since then apparent inaccuracies in Mr Head’s account of his involvement in the Second World War have come to light.

Last night the BNP were accused by anti-fascism campaigners and Second World War veterans’ associations of using the British armed forces to promote their own extremist politics, and of duping the public in advance of the General Election. Despite repeated requests, the far-right party refused to answer any questions about Mr Head’s wartime career, or to allow him to be interviewed.

The Sunday Herald repeatedly asked BNP communications officers to put us in touch with Mr Head. However, the party – despite promoting him online and putting him on posters as part of their election campaign – refused to put us in contact. Nick Griffin, the party’s leader, also refused to answer any questions about Mr Head’s military claims.

The questions are about:

Mr Head’s service

In his message of support to the BNP, Mr Head says he was “attached to the 51st Highland Division” and that “at just 20 years old I was involved in the Normandy invasion”. But there is confusion over the precise nature of Mr Head’s role in D-Day, and whether he took part in the initial invasion or arrived in France some time later. The 51st Highland Division only landed in France in the second wave of fighting in Normandy, after D-Day.

Mr Head also claims his division took part in Operation Market Garden, which included the attempt to take the Rhine bridges at Arnhem. But this was not the case: the 51st division was not involved.

George Batts, the national secretary of the Normandy Veterans Association, said the BNP should be “treated with the contempt they deserve” if untruths had been told about Mr Head’s role.

Mr Batts, 89, said: “A few of my fellow veterans had seen Mr Head on the BNP website and asked me if I knew of him, as they had never heard of him. There are thousands of veterans but it is odd that not one person remembers him or knows who he is. If he does exist, he is an idiot and he will not get much support from any Normandy veterans I know. I really would rather not see this kind of thing from one of our own. We could all now be tarred with the same brush.”

Mr Batts served with the Royal Engineers and landed in France on D-Day in June 1944. He said no “decent, legitimate party” would knowingly deceive the public over such an important event. “The best thing we can do is ignore both Mr Head and the BNP,” he added.

Mr Head’s medals

A photograph of Mr Head on the BNP website, which is also being used on billboard posters, shows him wearing nine medals. However, doubts have been raised about the way they are being worn. Military historians claim the top three medals are recognised as from the Second World War. However, there is confusion about the provenance of the lower set and how he is wearing them.

Maurice Cousins, a researcher for the campaign group Nothing British, which opposes the BNP, was one of a number of critics of the party who raised concern about the medals. James Bethell, director of Nothing British, added his voice to the concerns. “Time and time again the BNP seeks to hijack the memory of our military values and fallen heroes to promote their racist and extremist agenda,” he said. “Veterans up and down the country are revolted by the BNP’s tactics.

“No self-respecting soldier who fought the Nazis would lend their name to a party which promotes racism, homophobia, misogyny and anti-semitism. Griffin should sack any BNP member who masquerades with medals they do not deserve.”

Mr Head’s commander

Mr Head’s online message of support says he was “under the command of the legendary General Bernard Montgomery, or Monty as he was affectionately known”. However, General Montgomery was the overall British commander of the 21st Army Group. The 51st Highland Division was commanded firstly by Major-General Charles Bullen-Smith and then by Maj-Gen Tom Rennie.

Referring to concerns about Mr Head, Diana M Henderson, research director of the Scots At War Trust, said: “To be honest, the whole thing is just a bit sad. Many veterans are still here today and will no doubt be disappointed by this. But most will just shake their heads – after all, they were actually there.”

The source of Mr Head’s words

Last week, another Second World War veteran, Kenneth Riley, appealed for people to sign up to the Hope Not Hate campaign, which fights against the BNP and their policies. Hope Not Hate claim that, within hours, some of Mr Riley’s words were put into the mouth of Mr Head.

Such phrases as “Today, the war isn’t being fought on the battlefield – but in the ballot box” and “If I had my health I would be out there with them. But I can’t – so I’m writing to ask you to volunteer for me” appear in both of the men’s statements.

A statement on the Hope Not Hate website said Mr Riley was “furious when he was told that the BNP had taken his own words … and used them in a fundraising email”. It continued: “Ken fought the Nazis … He continues to fight the Nazis, in the guise of the BNP, today.”

After refusing to offer any information about Mr Head’s record and refusing the Sunday Herald the right to interview him, Paul Golding, communications officer for the BNP, said: “Unfortunately Mr Head is approaching 90 years old and I think it would be unfair on him to pester him with media interviews.”

Sunday Herald

MP Malik slams protests and extremists

Veterans got together to mark the contribution of Dewsbury people in past conflicts and to show their support to serving troops.

MP Shahid Malik hosted the second annual veterans lunch at Dewsbury Town Hall, attended by more than 250 people. And the MP used the event to heavily criticise two organisations which demonstrated in Leeds and London during in recent weeks. He slammed Islam4UK who demonstrated in London and the English Defence League (EDL) who protested in Leeds. Mr Malik also attacked the extremists in Luton who disrupted a military parade and shouted abuse at soldiers.

In his speech Mr Malik said that the UK was a multi-faith society and that was part of what made the UK the best country in the world. Mr Malik concluded by saying that the true defenders of England were those present at the Town Hall event and veterans around the country were the true patriots.

The Dewsbury MP said: “It’s right that we celebrate the truly outstanding contribution that was made by so many local people both during past wars as well as current conflicts.”

During the event, guests were treated to refreshments and a light lunch while listening to a medley of wartime anthems from 40s singer Caroline Romley. After lunch guests heard contributions from Veterans Minister Kevan Jones MP and Major David Wroe.

Huddersfield Daily Examiner

War veterans' BNP 'dismay'

Two men with first-hand experience of the evils of fascism have spoken of their 'dismay' at the BNP's success.

War veteran Cyril Watts, 84, was on a minesweeper at the time of the Normandy landings. And Mayer, a Jewish man in his 80s from Manchester, was one of the few who managed to survive the horrors of the holocaust. Both say they are 'deeply upset' with the poll results that saw two of the right wing party's members elected to the European Parliament.

Cyril, from Rochdale, recently featured in the M.E.N. after defiantly staging his own commemoration for the 65th anniversary of D-Day in the town after no official event was organised. He believes that his colleagues who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the fight against racism would be 'shattered' if they could see what had happened at the polls.

"I'm absolutely disgusted with it," he said. "And I'm sure some of my colleagues who lost their lives would feel the same. They'd be shattered if they could see this."

Cyril added that he had 'no time' for the BNP. He said: "They're just racist bruisers aren't they? If they come round here knocking on doors I tell them to clear off. I don't even think they should have been allowed to put up in the first place. We're too lenient here. We let them get away with murder. It's ridiculous how the thing has been allowed to escalate. It also upsets me that they have robbed our flag, the union flag, and use it themselves. We fought for that flag and it's not theirs."

Cyril added that despite being upset he wasn't worried about what the two right wing MEPs would achieve.

"I think we should just leave them to chew their own cud," he said. "They'll soon be fighting with each other. There's not enough of them to put their own policies through so I wouldn't worry about it."

Mayer was taken by cattle truck to Auschwitz in May 1943. He was one of the 'fortunate' 20 per cent who escaped the gas chambers. He said: "Obviously I am concerned by what has happened. We don't want a repeat of what took place all those years ago. Hatred can begin in many forms and it spreads like a disease. When the Nazis came to power they made laws that were abhorrent.

"I remember the kind of things that happened at the start in the 30s. I hope and pray that it does not happen here. It took a long, long time to establish democracy in Europe. We are very lucky now and we enjoy our freedom. We must realise the hatred and prejudice that exists. I would hate to see a repeat of what happened."

Manchester Evening News