Bomb plot accused 'had targets'

A former British National Party (BNP) candidate was a "radical" who suggested locations where he could plant a ball-bearing bomb, a court heard. Robert Cottage, 49, believed if there was not "blood in the streets" the country was "lost", his co-accused, David Jackson, told police.

Manchester Crown Court was told Cottage, of Colne, Lancashire, had spoken of bomb techniques and targets. Mr Cottage and Mr Jackson, 62, deny conspiracy to cause an explosion.

The court heard bus driver Mr Cottage had been stockpiling food and chemicals which could be made into explosives because he feared the country was on the brink of civil war. When police raided Mr Cottage's home they found 21 different chemicals including nitrates, chlorine, ammonia and acids.

'Given land away'

Officers also discovered a stash of crossbows, air pistols, ammunition and two tubs of ball bearings.

On Friday, the jury heard police interviews of Mr Jackson, a dentist from Nelson. Asked about Mr Cottage's views, he told police: "Yes, they were extreme. He was apocalyptic who really thought that if there was not blood in the streets we were absolutely lost, which is the reason of these ball bearings."

Mr Jackson said his co-accused had suggested techniques and said he made suggestions of targets, but could not recall what they were. Mr Cottage, who failed to be elected as a BNP candidate in local elections, has admitted possession of explosives but denies conspiracy to cause explosions. Mr Jackson denies both charges.

'Wickedest thing'

Mr Cottage had downloaded a manual on how to make bombs from internet versions of a book named The Anarchist's Cookbook, the court heard. He also told friends how he wished to assassinate Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Asked how he felt about immigration, Mr Jackson said: "The sadness comes in passing through the middle of your native town and walking a hundred and fifty yards sometimes without hearing a word of English. And it makes you think, well we've just given the land away, to another culture, another religion and that's the wickedest thing a nation can do to itself. It's much worse than being colonised in some war; I mean it's all happening without a fight and with encouragement from the powers that be."

The trial continues.

BBC

Tower Hamlets – equality champions

Tower Hamlets Council was the first local authority in the country to receive an Equality Mark at a special presentation made last week by the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA).

The prestigious award is in recognition of the council achieving Level 5 of the Local Government Equality Standard and highlights the council's enduring commitment to equality as both a service provider and employer.

Councillor Anwara Ali, Lead Member for Employment, Equalities and Skills, Tower Hamlets Council said: "Tower Hamlets is a wonderfully diverse borough and equality is at the heart of everything we do. Just last month we were announced as the most gay-friendly London council by Stonewall and this month we've received an Equality Mark.

"We're really pleased with the recognition that we've received and it's a testament to the commitment and dedication of our councillors, officers and of course the local community.

"The Equality Mark doesn't make us complacent as equalities are ever changing. Receiving the award will be an inspiration for us to continue to move forward to meet the needs of our diverse community. "

Equality practices are embedded within the council's policies and actions, right through from the borough's community plan to individual officer's work plans. A number of proactive initiatives have been developed to ensure that the council's workforce represents the community. The council has received a total of five Beacon awards, including one for promoting racial equality in 2005.

Tower Hamlet Council Chief Executive, Martin Smith along with Head of Research and Scrutiny, Michael Keating received the award from Lord Herman Ouseley at the River Bank Plaza.

24dash

Summit to plan new anti-facism campaign

Musicians are set to rub shoulders with politicians, trade unionists, students and activists in London on Saturday in a bid to tackle fascism in Britain.

The conference has been organised by Unite Against Fascism (UAF) and the musicians' action group Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR), which accuse far-right organisations such as the British National Party (BNP) of stirring up racial tensions.

At the event campaigners will plan a "wide-ranging" initiative to fight all forms of racism, fascism, Islamophobia and homophobia.

They will also discuss ways to stem the rise of the BNP, which now has 14 councillors in London.

Weyman Bennett, joint secretary of the UAF, which acts as an umbrella organisation for anti-fascism and anti-racism groups, said, "The BNP is not marching or having huge rallies. It is leafleting, talking about 'community politics' and going for electoral appeal."

"We need to challenge this by celebrating anti-racism - black and white united, and removing the Nazis' respectability."

"They are not welcome in our cities or our society," he added.

Speakers will include: Jerry Dammers from The Specials, Drew McConnell from Babyshambles, rap artist Lethal Bizzle, cabinet minister and veteran anti-racism campaigner Peter Hain, Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, and head of the Muslim Council of Britain Dr Mohammed Abdul Bari.

The conference will focus on concerns that fascism is being "normalised" in politics and the arts, and that far-right organisations are infiltrating schools and universities.

As part of the campaign, musicians from LMHR, supported by the Amicus trade union, will tour universities across the country during March and April.

Anti-fascism groups are also expected to mount a demonstration on February 19 outside the Dorchester Hotel, where the English National Ballet is hosting a gala fundraising dinner.

Campaigners are angry that dancer Simone Clarke, who has been dubbed the "BNP Ballerina", has kept her job at the English National Ballet despite her membership of the far-right party.

The conference, which is taking place at the TUC Conference Centre on February 17, will also see the official launch of the LMHR Artists' Group, which aims to spread the Love Music Hate Racism message to music fans at festivals, concerts, raves and gigs across the country.

Love Music Hate Racism spokesperson Lee Billingham said the organisation was using the UK music scene to create a nationwide campaign against racism and fascism.

He said, "Every day we hear that the country's biggest problems are due to Muslims and asylum seekers and these lies are fuelling a big resurgence in racism and support for the Nazi BNP."

"All of us who like living in a multicultural society must stand together to oppose what's going on."

"British music is far better for the mixing up of cultures and styles that has happened because of immigration to this country."

Jerry Dammers, frontman of ska band The Specials and author of "Free Nelson Mandela", added, "The BNP are like the daleks - no matter how many times they're defeated they don't get the message. But they're not from a fantasy and we can't be complacent and relax the struggle against them.

"It's when they're at their most boring and tedious that they are at their most dangerous."

"Everyone should do everything they can to counteract them, and I urge anyone who can to attend this weekends LMHR and UAF conference in London."

24dash

Harriet Harman rejects call for change to six-month rule

Ex-Solicitor General Harriet Harman has rejected calls from West Yorkshire's Chief Crown Prosecutor for a change in the law governing the time limit on bringing cases to court. Speaking during a tour of Calderdale, the Minister for Constitutional Affairs said the six-month rule helped ensure cases were dealt with as swiftly as possible.

"It is a good rule but sometimes there are slip-ups and I am sure individuals learn lessons from that," she said.

Harriet Harman was responding to demands by West Yorkshire Chief Crown Prosecutor Neil Franklin for a change in the law after a former BNP candidate who sent race-hate mail had the charges against him dropped. Brian Wainwright pleaded guilty at Calderdale Magistrates Court to sending offensive and threatening posters but the case was dismissed because the police and the Crown Prosecution Service did not charge him within the six month time limit.

"I know Mr Franklin – he is one of the best Crown prosecutors we have," said Ms Harman. "But I am sure the court case itself will be a clear warning for the defendant not to do it again," she said.

At a meeting with residents at St Mary's Church, Illingworth, Halifax, Ms Harman was told of the problems caused by teenage drinking, drug misuse, grafitti and damage to property. Halifax Labour MP Linda Riordan said: "We need more youth clubs – as they become older, children need more to keep them occupied."

The meeting was told there was youth provision in every area of North Halifax but it was not available frequently enough, and particularly at weekends. A community police spokesman said the Ovenden Drop-In Centre had been extremely successful in helping to reduce antisocial behaviour but it needed to stay open longer. Earlier in the day, the minister visited the Sure Start Children's Centre, in Elland.

Halifax Evening Courier

BNP bid to recruit children 'poison'

Teachers, community leaders and MPs have condemned plans by the far-right British National Party to recruit children as young as 15 in a campaign that will target schools and colleges in the district. The newly-formed Young BNP has identified Keighley in particular as a battle-ground where it intends to exploit the claims of so-called "grooming" of young white girls by Asian gangs.

The move has appalled educationalists and politicians in Bradford and Keighley. Jane Rendle of the National Union of Teachers in Bradford said: "Anything which is to the detriment of community cohesion we would be very concerned about. Anything the Young BNP are likely to be doing would be detrimental to race relations in Bradford and we certainly wouldn't welcome that being focused in our schools. For a divisive party such as the BNP to be targeting schools is reprehensible."
Labour MP for Keighley Ann Cryer said she would work with the schools to stamp out the Young BNP's recruitment campaign. She said: "If the schools or their representatives need my help to make representations to the police in order to rid our schools of the malign influence of the BNP I will be happy to do so. There is no place in our schools for the type of poison propagated by the BNP."

The Young BNP's newly-elected national organiser, 21-year-old Danny Lake, was arrested in 2005 after handing out extremist literature at a multicultural diversity event at a Swindon college. He boasted to the T&A: "We have a lot of members but membership could be higher, we will be firing on all cylinders this year to recruit more young people to the party."

He added that the following weeks would see the biggest recruitment campaign in the BNP's history and he said they would be "targeting school, college and university students between the ages of 15 and 24."

Mr Lake said the Young BNP's campaign would focus on "the racist grooming of teenage girls by Muslim paedophile gangs in Keighley" and the "anti-BNP bias" in schools. He said a programme of targeting universities would begin within the next few weeks, with schools and colleges to follow.

The Bradford-based Hope not Hate group also joined the condemnation. Paul Meszaros of the group said: "This is a matter for serious concern, they are talking about targeting young people at a vulnerable age. There is legislation to protect minors such as the race relations amendment act, but the BNP may well employ sneaky tactics such as hanging around the school gates. I would call on parents, teachers and pupils to be vigilant and, if they see any publications which could be incitement to hatred, to report the issue."

Mr Lake and another young BNP activist were frogmarched from the Swindon College building in March 2005 when they handed out leaflets at an event aimed at highlighting multiculturality in Britain.

Mr Lake himself later wrote on the BNP's website about being told to stop handing out leaflets by the police. He said: "Obviously I refused to comply and I informed Tony Blair's stormtrooper that I was there representing a legitimate political party and was not breaking the law."

He was arrested on suspicion of a racially-aggravated Section 5 Public Order offence. He was released after several hours after having his fingerprints and a DNA swab taken.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus

'Chemicals ordered on the internet'

A delivery of chemicals at a former BNP candidate's home could have been used to create deadly explosive devices, a court has heard. But forensic experts found no evidence that 49-year-old Robert Cottage had been making bombs at his Talbot street home, in Colne, Manchester Crown Court was told.

Cottage pleaded guilty to the possession of explosives on Tuesday, but denies conspiracy to cause an explosion. Co-defendant David Jackson, 62, of Trent Road, Nelson, also denies conspiring to cause an explosion.

Cottage, who joined the BNP four years ago, claimed he was stock-piling chemicals because he believed a civil war was imminent. He wanted to create thunder flashes to scare away any potential attackers, his defence team has said. Cottage had also collected extensive food supplies and weapons in preparation for the outbreak of fighting.

The court heard that Cottage, who worked as a bus driver for Lancashire County Council, had three boxes of chemicals delivered to his home in September last year. They contained ingredients such as potassium nitrate used in the production of gun powder and hydrogen peroxide used to make the high-powered explosives TATP. However, none of the chemicals had been opened, or used.

Cottage had ordered the chemicals over the internet after his friend and co-defendant Jackson drew up a list of items to buy, the court was told. Jackson later told police they were to be used to teach Cottage's 16-year-old son about chemistry.

When police searched Cottage's home they found a copy of the Anarchist Cookbook on his computer. The document, written during the Vietnam War, detailed how to make a number of explosive materials and devices including napalm, thermite bombs and letter bombs.

Forensic expert Sarah Wilson told the court that while many of the chemicals found at Cottage's home could be used for innocent purposes, they could also be used to create explosions. She said the effects of such an explosion could depend on a number of factors.

She said: "It would depend on how well it was made, whether the device was viable, and its location. If it was in a crowded area, such as a street, it has more potential to damage property and people."

The defence counsel argued that Cottage only possessed threat chemicals for making relatively harmless touch explosives often demonstrated in school classrooms. Defending Jackson, Andrew Nuttall described the potential explosions as "schoolboy pranks".

Miss Wilson agreed some of the chemicals owned by Cottage were "pointless" for making a bomb, although she said others "you would probably steer away from".

The trial continues...

Asian Image

Jail for German Holocaust denier

A German Holocaust denier who regularly lavished praise on Adolf Hitler has been sentenced to five years in jail by a German court.

Ernst Zuendel was convicted of 14 counts of inciting racial hatred and for denying that the Nazis killed six million Jews during World War II. He received the maximum sentence under German law, which bans Holocaust denial.

Zuendel moved to Canada in 1958 but was judged a national security threat and deported back to Germany in 2005.

The 67-year-old once published a book called The Hitler We Loved and Why, and described the former Nazi leader as "a decent and very peaceful man". During his trial in the western German city of Mannheim, he was accused of using "pseudo-scientific" methods to try to rewrite the accepted history of the Nazi Holocaust in 14 pieces of written work and internet publications.

Zuendel had denied the charges, asserting his right to free speech, and questioned the constitutionality of the laws being used against him.

Germany hopes to make Holocaust denial a crime across the EU as part of a package of laws it wants to introduce during its presidency of the bloc. Berlin is also set to outline plans to ban Nazi symbols like the swastika, which, like denying the massacre of the Jews, is already outlawed in Germany. However, correspondents says such moves may be seen as curtailing freedom of speech and could prove controversial in several member states.

BBC

This scapegoating is rolling back the gains of anti-racism

Anti-terror stunts and a barrage of propaganda are demonising Muslims and making Islamophobia the acceptable face of racism

Predictably enough, the action of the police in last year's Forest Gate raid has been excused with the mildest of rebukes. Out of more than 150 complaints, only a tiny number were upheld. The whole operation, you will recall, was a figment of the security services' imagination. A fortnight ago, there was another spectacular anti-terrorist operation, this time in Birmingham, concerning an alleged plot to kidnap a Muslim member of the armed forces. The pattern of these operations is now well established. The police swoop on an area, make dozens of arrests, accompanied by lurid media reports about the would-be plotters' intentions. There have now been charges, although an innocent party who was arrested and then released has given a disturbing account of his experience in custody. The most alarming example was last summer, when it was alleged there was a plot hatched in Pakistan to blow up as many as 10 aircraft, which resulted in a huge security clampdown at Heathrow and new hand-luggage rules. But, despite a number of charges, a degree of scepticism would be wise, given the experience of cases such as the ricin plot that never was.

Just what are these operations about? You may remember MI5 chief Eliza Manningham-Buller suggested last November that the intelligence services had discovered 30 "plots to kill people and to damage our economy", often with "links back to al-Qaida in Pakistan and through those links al-Qaida gives guidance and training to its largely British foot soldiers here on an extensive and growing scale". The authority for such a statement, I assume, comes from MI5 agents. The quality of such reports, though, must be treated with profound scepticism, dependent as they are on the doubtful calibre and knowledge of these agents and the tendency of such people to live in a semi-fantasy world of endless conspiracy. The fact remains that, notwithstanding the huge security operations and the large numbers arrested, relatively few people have actually been charged. The test of justice is, fortunately, more demanding than the criteria used to justify headlines and political hyperbole.

Of course, we must take terrorist threats seriously - but also the price we pay for these alarums. They magnify our sense of trepidation and persuade people the worst is about to happen: it is under the cloak of such fear that governments on both sides of the Atlantic have been able to impose swingeing restrictions on civil liberties. The fact remains, however, that deaths in the UK from Islamist terrorism have been far fewer than those perpetrated by the IRA. Meanwhile, the price for these constant security operations is paid, above all, by our Muslim communities. Every such operation tars them with the brush of terrorism, an intimation to rest of society that extremism lurks within their ranks.

The scapegoating of the Muslim community has become the stock in trade of politicians, the Conservatives recently accusing the Muslim Council of Britain of separatist tendencies, and New Labour all too frequently indulging in the same kind of refrain - notably during the most disgraceful period of its domestic rule last autumn, when cabinet ministers were falling over themselves to make disparaging remarks about the Muslim community.

The argument typically starts from the global terrorist threat and ends up by suggesting the Muslim community nurtures and sustains such a terrorist mentality by its failure to integrate. Jack Straw squirmed about the veil, Ruth Kelly inveighed against imams, Alan Johnson proposed that faith schools admit up to 25% not of the same faith (patently directed against the Muslim community), and John Reid warned a Muslim audience of "fanatics looking to groom and brainwash [your] children ... for suicide bombing". Amid this panic-inducing rhetoric, there was little acknowledgment that Muslims suffer more discrimination than any other section of society, no recognition that every attack on their community can only intensify that prejudice. Imagine what it feels like to be a Muslim, stalked by a constant sense of distrust and suspicion? As a society we may condemn racism, but when it comes to Muslims, it seems to be somehow acceptable, from the cabinet downwards.

And what is to blame for this failure to integrate? Prejudice, perhaps? Discrimination? Racism? No, according to David Cameron, Ruth Kelly and many others, the cause would appear to be multiculturalism. Pause for a moment and spot the slippage in the argument. It is no longer only about Muslims but all our ethnic minorities. For enshrined in the principle of multiculturalism is the idea that the white community does not insist on the assimilation of ethnic minorities but recognises the importance of pluralism. It is not about separatism but a respect for difference - from colour and dress to customs and religion. The attack on multiculturalism is the thin end of the racism wedge. It seeks to narrow the acceptable boundaries of difference at a time when Britain is becoming ever more diverse and heterogeneous.

None of this is to deny the importance of finding ways of integrating the Muslim community. It is hardly surprising, though, that many young Muslims feel alienated. They face worse discrimination in education and employment than any other ethnic minority, Anglo-American policy in the Middle East has had the effect of demonising the Muslim world, and the Muslim community here finds itself the victim of a barrage of hostile propaganda. A major assault on discrimination involving the government, the media and the Muslim community is long overdue. But while British foreign policy so profoundly discriminates against the Muslim world, and New Labour remains in denial about the connection between domestic Muslim attitudes and its foreign policy, there seems little prospect of making a new start.

Antipathy towards Muslims, meanwhile, threatens to roll back hard-fought anti-racist gains, which, over the decades, have won a degree of respect for ethnic minorities and an acceptance of the principle of difference. These gains have always been fragile. Important ground is now being ceded as Islamophobia becomes the acceptable face of racism and the attack on multiculturalism finds important new recruits.

· Martin Jacques is a visiting research fellow at the Asia Research Centre, London School of Economics

Comment is free

ACT NOW - Stop the Fascist BNP National Conference

Jerry Dammers, Babyshambles, Peter Hain MP join trade unions, faith leaders and MPs at anti-BNP conference

Unite Against Fascism is launching this year's campaign against the BNP at a national conference this Saturday (details below). The conference will bring together musicians, politicians, trade unions, Jewish and Muslim communities, lesbian and gay, black community representatives and many others campaigning against the BNP around the country.

In recent years the BNP has gained the largest votes for a fascist party in British history, polling over 230,000 votes in last May's elections, compared to 3000 votes in 2000. It now has an unprecedented 49 councillors around the country. Areas that the BNP have targeted have seen a rise in racist attacks and other hate crimes. The BNP will be targeting the local elections in England and Wales and the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly elections, with the aim of making further gains.

Key themes of the conference include:

Examining the BNP's vote trend and effective strategies for stopping them Defending multiculturalism - challenging racism and Islamophobia Music's contribution to the campaign against racism Fascism and its historical record Why communities including, Jewish, Muslim other faith communities, trade unions, students, black and Asian communities and others must unite against the BNP Challenging homophobia No platform for the BNP in media and education

Keith Sonnet, UNISON Deputy General Secretary said:
"The success of the BNP in places as far apart as Barking, Bradford and Burnley, in last year's local government elections, underlines why trade unions must stand together against the racist threat. The BNP's presence throws a shadow over our democracy. It masquerades as a legitimate political party, but it preys on fear and ignorance and promotes hate. We must reject those politics of hate and division. The fascists and their parties have to be stopped in their tracks. As a nation, we should be ashamed of the growth of far right politics. It should never have been allowed to happen. And we must shake the mainstream political parties out of their complacency. Trade unions have always fought for freedom, equality and tolerance. It is an absolute duty for unions to fight racism in our society - the spawning ground of ultra right wing politics. We've had our wake up call. We must pledge to step up our campaign against racism and fascism. UNISON will fight racism wherever it rears its ugly head."

Peter Hain MP said:
"Progressives have a moral duty to fight fascism wherever it rears its ugly head. The Anti-Nazi League played a leading role in helping to end the evil of the National Front. Now we must unite to combat the BNP racists and their ideology of hate - that's why it's important that we build Unite Against Fascism today."

Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary said:
"It is important that everyone who believes in democracy and equal rights for all unites to show extremists that there is no place in our society for those that seek to stir up tensions between our many diverse communities. Whether at work or in the community, people need to be able to live their lives free from discrimination and prejudice. By working together we will ensure that the attempts of those on the far right to create hatred and division in towns and cities across the UK will never succeed."

Dr. Mohammed Abdul Bari, Secretary General of Muslim Council of Britain said:
"The increasing electoral gain of the BNP, and the erroneous comparisons made between it and Muslim organisations by some politicians, demonstrates the mounting problem of fascism in UK politics and the extent to which its growing threat is misunderstood. This xenophobic climate in which victims are portrayed as perpetrators and perpetrators are dignified must be challenged and arrested by those that understand all too clearly the threat fascism poses to our democracy."

Jerry Dammers, musician, writer of anti-racist classic "Free Nelson Mandela", formerly of The Specials & Special AKA, said:
"The BNP are like the Daleks; no matter how many times they're defeated they don't get the message. But they're not from a fantasy and we can't be complacent and relax the struggle against them. Its when they're at their most boring and tedious that they are at their most dangerous. Everyone should do everything they can to counteract them, and I urge anyone who can to attend this weekends UAF conference in London."

Dr. Edie Friedman, Director of Jewish Council for Racial Equality said:
"The electoral successes of the BNP have occurred in an environment where multiculturalism is attacked in an indiscriminate manner so that it becomes a scapegoat for many of society's ills. This creates a climate which allows groups like the BNP to claim that they are simply reflecting what 'ordinary people' think but are afraid to say. We know from history that fascism grows when minority groups are stigmatised. UAF must bring together all communities so that we will be more effective in combating racism, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism. This is critical if we are to stop the BNP making further gains in 2007."

Gemma Tumelty, President of the National Union of Students said:
"The fascist BNP are targeting students with the aim of recruiting young people to their politics of hatred. I am proud to bring the full weight of NUS into the alliance that UAF represents, so that we can stand squarely with all communities that are being targeted by the BNP. The NUS has a proud history of preventing fascism from gaining a foothold within the student movement. We will be doing everything in our power to ensure that the student vote is fully mobilised to help stop the BNP from making further gains in this May's elections"

Alan Wardle Stonewall Director of Parliamentary & Public Affairs said:
"The BNP routinely incites hatred towards lesbian, gay and bisexual people, as well as targeting people on racial and religious grounds. We welcome this conference as an opportunity to bring minority communities together, to challenge the politics of hatred whatever their motivation."

Weyman Bennett, Joint Secretary of Unite Against Fascism said:
"The BNP remains a Nazi organisation; its members are involved in violent racist attacks. It craves respectability to extend this terrorism to the whole of society; it remains a clear and present danger to a democratic society"

Conference details:

ACT NOW - Stop the Fascist BNP National Conference
Saturday 17 February 2007 9.30am-5pm
TUC Conference Centre, Great Russell St, London WC1B 3LS
Nearest tube: Tottenham Court Road

Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary, Jerry Dammers, ex-The Specials, Grime Star Lethal Bizzle, Peter Hain MP, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Mary Senior, STUC Assistant General Secretary, Drew McConnell, Babyshambles, Billy Hayes CWU General Secretary, Paul Mackney, UCU Joint General Secretary, Keith Sonnet Unison Dep General Secretary, Gemma Tumelty, NUS President, Dr Mohammed Abdul Bari, MCB General Secretary, Alan Wardle, Director Public and Parliamentary Affairs Stonewall, Henry Guterman MBE, refugee from the Holocaust, Dr. Edie Friedman Director, Jewish Council For Racial Equality, Maleiha Malik, Kings College London Glyn Ford MEP, Representatives of Imaan - the Muslim LGBT support group and a representative of NUS LGBT Campaign, Ian Pace, classical pianist, Hardkaur, UK's first Asian female rapper, Sam Duckworth, aka Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, Kirsten Hearn disability rights campaigner, Martin Smith Love Music Hate Racism, Lee Jasper National Assembly Against Racism Secretary, Mohammed Azam North West Unite Against Fascism, Sabby Dhalu and Weyman Bennett, Unite Against Fascism

BNP candidate who feared civil war ‘had hoarded explosives’

A former election candidate for the British National Party built a stockpile of explosive chemicals in preparation for a future civil war, a court was told yesterday.

Robert Cottage, a self-proclaimed Christian, “held strong views on immigration” and had become convinced that a forthcoming war would lead to the creation of a new world order. The 49-year-old BNP member, who also spoke of wanting to assassinate the Prime Minister, is said to have stored the chemicals alongside weapons and ammunition at his home in Colne, Lancashire.

A jury at Manchester Crown Court was told that 21 chemical products – capable of forming explosives when mixed together – were found when the property was raided by police. Officers also found a computer document, called The Anarchy Cookbook, which gave details on how to produce different types of bombs.

Mr Cottage told friends he would like to shoot Mr Blair and local Liberal Democrat peer Lord Greaves. A diary entry read: “Thought for the day: The easiest way to save the country is to assassinate Tony Blair and when Prescott takes over, shoot that f***** as well.”

Louise Blackwell, QC, for the prosecution, said that Mr Cottage’s behaviour first aroused suspicion when his wife, Kerena, told social workers that he had crossbows and chemicals at their home. The couple had been married for two years but Mrs Cottage, who has mental health problems, told police that she had become increasingly unhappy about his political beliefs. She told officers: “I have seen a change in Rob since he became involved with the BNP four years ago. Rob was becoming very radical in his views and opinions.” The far-Right party had “driven a wedge” between them, she said, leading to a trial separation. She told officers: “Rob believes there will be a civil war and the emergence of a new world order. Rob has also started stockpiling supplies.”

The court was told that Mr Cottage, a member of the Church of England, was “a very religious man” who would “regularly quote from the Bible and read it every other day”. He also listened to radio programmes on an American website called Republican Broadcasts, which specialised in conspiracy theories.

Miss Blackwell said that during the raid on the Cottages’ home, police found – in addition to chemicals – four air pistols, crossbows with ammunition and ball bearings which could have been used as shrapnel in an explosive device.

After Mr Cottage was interviewed, detectives raided the home of a second man, David Jackson, where they found a bow and arrow and two nuclear protection suits. Mr Jackson, 62, a dentist from Nelson, Lancashire, is said to have first met Mr Cottage at BNP meetings. Miss Blackwell said: “These two men together agreed to order these chemicals . . . and they intended to make a bomb with them. That much the Crown say is clear, due to the information found on the computer. The bomb they intended to make would have had the ability to cause damage or cause serious injuries.”

Both men deny a charge of conspiracy to cause an explosion and Mr Jackson denies a further count of possessing explosives. Mr Cottage pleaded guilty to possessing explosives.

His barrister, Alistair Webster, QC, told the jury that his client was a former BNP candidate who had been the subject of threats. Mr Cottage, he said, believed that the “political and financial condition of the country” would lead to civil war. Mr Webster said that Mr Cottage accepted the possession charge on the basis that the explosives were designed to deter attacks on his property. He added that this premise was not accepted by the prosecution.

TimesOnline

Ex BNP man 'feared UK civil war'

A former British National Party (BNP) candidate admitted possessing explosive chemicals in anticipation of a civil war in Britain, a court heard.

Robert Cottage, 49, from Lancashire, pleaded guilty to possession of explosives at the start of his trial at Manchester Crown Court. The 49-year-old, from Colne, denies conspiracy to cause an explosion. A second man, David Jackson, 62, of Nelson, Lancashire, denies both charges under the Explosive Substances Act.

Alistair Webster QC, defending, said Mr Cottage, of Talbot Street, was a former BNP candidate and had been the subject of threats. He explained that his client believed the "political and financial condition of the country" would lead to civil war within the coming years.

Mr Cottage accepted the possession charge on the basis that the explosives were designed to deter attacks on his property, Mr Webster said.

The trial continues.

BBC
There's a rather more interesting (and enlightening) report in today's Telegraph.

Ex-BNP candidate admits stockpiling weapons

A former election candidate for the British National Party has today admitted stockpiling explosive chemicals for an anticipated civil war in Britain. Robert Cottage, 49, pleaded guilty at Manchester Crown Court to one count of possession of explosives on the first day of his trial.

His barrister, Alistair Webster QC, said his client was a former BNP candidate and had been the subject of threats. He explained his client, who lives in Colne, Lancashire, believed the "political and financial condition of the country" would lead to civil war within the coming years. He said his client accepted the charge on the basis that the explosives were designed to deter attacks on his property. He added that this premise was not accepted by the prosecution.

Opening the case for the prosecution, Louise Blackwell QC said Cottage's wife had told how he wanted to shoot Tony Blair and local Liberal Democrat peer Lord Greaves. Miss Blackwell said Kerena Cottage suffered mental health problems and told a social worker her husband had several crossbows and chemicals stored in his home.

This sparked a police operation and officers raided the house. During the swoop they discovered 21 types of chemicals which, when mixed together, could form explosives. They also recovered a 300-page computer document called the Anarchy Cookbook which detailed how to make different types of bombs.

A statement given to police by Mrs Cottage said her husband held "strong views on immigration" and his membership of the BNP had driven "a wedge" between them.

Cottage also denies one count of conspiracy to cause an explosion. A second man, David Jackson, 62, denies one count of possession of explosives and one of conspiracy to cause an explosion.

Telegraph

Police slam BNP vigilante patrols

Police and community leaders have criticised a vigilante patrol set up by members of the far-right British National Party.

Wiltshire BNP organiser Mike Howson said that in response to concerns from local residents, the party sent some of its members to walk the streets of Corsham last Friday looking for anyone committing anti-social behaviour.

He confirmed the patrol - which he described as a "good, calming influence on local yobs" - was the first of its kind in the area, but said others could follow.

However, the move was today condemned by local politicians and the police.

Corsham town councillor Peter Davis condemned the idea as an "inappropriate mix of politics and policing".

"I don't think activities like this serve any useful purpose," he said. "I hold a surgery every month when members of the public come to talk to me about concerns and problems. I have never had anybody bring issues of anti-social behaviour in Corsham to my attention before or say that patrols of this nature are necessary."

And Corsham police inspector Gavin Williams said: "These are vigilante patrols by members of the public. They have no more powers than any other members of the public. From our side of things we can't encourage or condone that. Anti-social behaviour has not increased in Corsham and police continue to work closely with the community and local authorities at district and parish levels. Wiltshire remains one of the safest counties to live in and visit, and we are committed to be pro-active in working with other agencies towards reducing anti-social behaviour."

Mr Howson said that if members of his group saw any anti-social behaviour going on, they would talk to the people involved and "show them the error of their ways".

In some cases they would escort youngsters back to their parents, he said, adding: "We were asked by local residents if we could start patrols up to stop yobbery on the estates. Friday's patrol was at the whim of the residents and the Corsham patrol went ahead with the backing of local residents. We have told the police and asked if they want to come on board, but to date we've had no response."

The BNP denies allegations of vigilantism and claims it is working within the boundaries of the law. According to its website, the patrol learnt that gangs hanging around Corsham town centre were involved in a power struggle.

The party said no citizen's arrests were made, but local yobs were surprised by their presence. They also claim information was passed their way which they were happy to share with the police.

North Wiltshire District Council community safety officer Mark Rippon said the council received a letter from the BNP in January claiming the residents of estates in Corsham were being abandoned at the mercy of yobs.

He said: "People should not take the law into their own hands. If they have any information they should pass it to ourselves, the police or their local council."

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