BNP’S secret union

A SHADOWY trade union run by a former National Front leader is causing strife at Shorts, it has been claimed.

But new members don’t realise they are getting into bed with the BNP.

Solidarity – a right wing union run by Edinburgh based activist Patrick Harrington – is targeting members of other trade unions to get them to jump ship.

Shorts Bombardier is one of Northern Ireland’s biggest employers with over 6,500 workers and the main union which supports workers there is Unite.

But traditional trade unionists at the aircraft components factory in east Belfast have described the Solidarity supporters as a “BNP cabal”.

Solidarity is the union wing of the British National Party and operates to drum up support for the right wing party although it’s believed they have less than 500 members across the UK.

The Ulster wing of the BNP is currently being run by nasty fascist Stephen Moore, who we revealed last year refers to Muslims as ‘Ragheads’ and Catholics as ‘Taigs’.

Force

Harrington and Moore are busy recruiting in Northern Ireland in the run-up to the Assembly and council elections in May.

And on Friday BNP leader Nick Griffin sent an open letter to thousands of targets asking them to join Solidarity.

However despite their name, Solidarity almost always takes the side of the bosses during any dispute, it has been claimed.

“There is a secret cabal of right-wing nutters working within Shorts,” said a source from inside the aerospace company.

“They are trying to force staff into breaking away from Unite to join Solidarity.

“They want people to join Solidarity and are digging up old sectarian fears.

“But what these people aren’t telling the workers is they would be marching into the arms of the BNP if they join them.”

Shorts has a history of sectarian tensions and the Sunday World understands that there has been a concerted rise in complaints made against Catholics employed by Unite as full-time or lay officials.

“The cabal are annoyed with Unite’s stance on a number of key issues and are secretly trying to stir up strife by writing anonymous letters to the press claiming hundreds of Unite members are planning to join Solidarity,’’ said our source.

“This group have been against Unite’s support for humanitarian aid for Palestine as well as opposing the union’s campaign for Lesbian and Gay rights.

“They have constantly carped that members would split away from the Union if these kind of policies persisted.

“We know the elements that make up ‘Bombardier’s Nazi Party.’ They are just a bunch of obstructionist drunks who drape themselves in the union flag when it suits them especially at voting time.

“Their links to the BNP and even the UDA are well known. Basically they are just a bunch of foul-mouthed bigots who do nothing for the membership.

“It’s a drinking club for idiots and slabbers who are in bed with the bosses anyway.

“The fact they have been writing to the press talking about a ‘Protestant backlash’ shows their true colours.

“A few gullible members may believe their tripe and follow them but they haven’t been told it will be the BNP they are marching into.

Joining

“Unite should call their bluff – if they want to go let them go!”

Patrick Harrington – who is himself on the BNP payroll – is a long term friend of BNP leader Nick Griffin.

The pair were senior figures in the anti-black group the National Front back in the 1980s.

Harrington split from the NF years ago and is now General Secretary of Solidarity as well as being a member of the National Liberal Party.

Anti-fascist magazine reporter Matthew Collins has warned anyone thinking of joining Harrington’s union.

“They should think about joining Harrington very carefully,” says Collins.

“Solidarity is a scab trade union that didn’t even defend the rights of the BNP office staff when they were made redundant.

“They are always on the side of the bosses and like all bosses they want to divide the workforce along ethnicity.

“During every major industrial dispute the BNP have supported the bosses like the miner’s strike and the print dispute.”

Thanks to Sunday World and Hope not Hate/Searchlight

EDL set to demonstrate in Blackburn

English Defence League supporters stage a protest

An English Defence League protest will take place in Blackburn next month

The right-wing group said it planned to hold a three-and-a-half hour ‘peaceful’ demonstration on Saturday, April 2. Lancashire Police is preparing for more than 1,000 supporters in the town centre. At the same time, Blackburn & Darwen United Against Racism has called a counter-protest. It is supported by Blackburn Trades Council, Blackburn College Student Union, Unite Against Fascism and Youth On A Mission.

Final negotiations were taking place yesterday between police and council chiefs over a suitable location. The key issue is finding somewhere for a large-scale demonstration to take place safely.

Similar events in Bolton, Preston and Rochdale have taken place in the past. The Preston demo in November led to 14 arrests but there was no major disorder.

A police spokesman said: “We are aware that the English Defence League may wish to hold an event in Blackburn on Saturday, April 2. The right to peacefully protest is a fundamental democratic right and we have a duty to facilitate that. At present nothing has been formally agreed or approved and we will work to ensure that these events pass off peacefully and with as little disruption as possible, if they go ahead. We will, of course, be working very closely with Blackburn with Darwen Council and other partner agencies throughout.”

According to the main EDL website and its Facebook page, which has 81,000 members, the Blackburn protest will run from 1pm until 4.30pm on Saturday, April 2. Some promotional material on the internet has mentioned the case of Amy Houston, who died after being knocked down by a failed asylum seeker.

Former Darwen councillor Michael Johnson, 48, who has spoken at previous EDL demos, said: “I’ve spoken to Paul (Amy’s dad) and he doesn’t want people using his situation for political gain.”

In recent months, the EDL has held several protests outside the KFC in Blackburn, which has been trialling a halal menu.

Lancashire Telegraph

Three sentenced for their parts in EDL protest disorder in Leicester

Three men were sentenced yesterday for their part in the public disorder which accompanied the English Defence League protest in Leicester

Two of the men, who denied having any official political affiliation with the EDL, were among a group hurling missiles at the Independent Arts Centre Fabrika, in Humberstone Gate.

Christopher Chapman (22), of Armdale Drive, Netherhall, Leicester, was handed a 12-week suspended prison sentence, by city magistrates. Unemployed Chapman pleaded guilty to causing £1,000 worth of damage to doors and windows at the venue and using threatening words and behaviour which caused people to fear for their safety. At a previous hearing, Chapman's solicitor said he was "politically naive" and was still "suffering the effects" of the previous night's drinking.

Andrew Millard (27), of Bradmore Grove, Birmingham, was ordered to do 100 hours unpaid community work. Millard, who has a five-year banning order from football grounds for hooliganism, admitted a charge of attempting to damage the arts centre with a large wooden pole. Ian Johnson, prosecuting Millard, said the group attacked the building after spotting members of the media covering last October's protest from first floor windows. CCTV cameras filmed Millard picking up a large wooden pole, throwing it at the building but missing.

Chris Stewart, in mitigation, said: "It was a pathetic and half-hearted attempt."

Ryan Stapleford, of Ashby Road, Ibstock, was ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work in the community after admitting to launching a "flying kick" on a Muslim man on the afternoon of the EDL demonstration. The 18-year-old, who was filmed on CCTV attacking the man outside Benny's Chicken, in Granby Street, claimed he had been defending a friend who had persuaded him to accompany him to the protest.

Leicester Mercury

Brewing up in Yorkshire

It's been a pretty devastating couple of months for the BNP in Yorkshire, even more so than the rest of the country. Here are some brief highlights:-

The granny pornmeister Ian Kitchen becoming and then resigning as the Yorks organiser in place of the slightly effectual Chris Beverley -

Jordan "woodteats" Pont laughably becoming the Sheffield organiser -

A very bad result in the recent Barnsley By-Election and the "OMG the other parties have used a graphic designer who knows what they are doing" response -

Nick Griffins' number one bestest fan Tom Holmes is

'staying at the crisis centre for a while, they're helping me with my medication'

Hurry back soon Tom, your political talents are our greatest fear -

The very funny spat between Adam Walker who is the third Yorkshire organiser this year and Nick Cass who set up a "this is not a BNP Reform Meeting" a couple of weeks ago and is now suspended for six months which will rule him out of running for the leadership this year.

Now comes the news that earlier today Chris Beverley, Andy Kershaw (no not that one this is a different one) and Gary Pudsey have been suspended by text message (classy touch) to stop them attending a Yorkshire officials meeting tonight. This in turn has led to the usual wailing and gnashing of teeth from members on various fora, blogs and Facebook pages and the slowly dawning realisation that the BNP is well on it's way to being finished.

EDL Inciting Religious Hatred – Again

The self styled ‘leader’ of the EDL posted both on his own wall and the main EDL wall last night that a priest was attacked, and inferred it was by muslim youths. Yet when asked for proof, none was provided. This kind of thing is becoming common place within the EDL hierarchy. In recent months there have been unsubstantiated reports of muslim youths doing all kinds of things, from shooting at Kevin Carroll to last night’s bullshit.

Now most people wouldnt just believe these claims without proof but the vast majority of EDL do. They rant, they foam, they call for an eye for an eye! Even one member wanting 10 imams beaten up for every priest that’s attacked.

This all came on the same day that a spoof article from a spoof Islamic council about padded bras being ‘The Devils Cushions’ was posted as FACT on the main wall. Even though it was pointed out to them, not once but twice by myself that it was a spoof, a joke, satire, I was ignored and ultimately banned from posting……why?

Its simple, the EDL leadership are doing everything in their power to stir up as much hatred towards muslims as possible.

How long will it be till someone dies as a result of these lies? How long till someone is seriously injured? How long till a mosque is burnt down in retaliation to a rumour? How long can the EDL leadership get away with doing this?

People ask why we are so concerned about EDL. My answer is simple, look at the screencap collection on Expose then tell me why YOU aren't concerned.

A Little Update. The EDL have just posted that a white male has been arrested for beating the priest up,

English Defence League (EDL)

Priest Attacked In Luton

“We reported that a priest was attacked in Luton on Sat night, we can now confirm a white male has been arrested and charged.

There are rumours going around that it was some muslim youths that carried out this attack but as you will see in the press shortly it was a white male.”

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=157434397647265&set=o.109490015749172&theater

No mention of the fact that it was ‘Tommy’ that started this rumour!

Within 5 minutes this post was deleted…..back pedaling much?

Whats up guys, did you not like people mentioning where those rumours originated from?

One Million United

Thanks to NewsHound for the heads-up

How I see the EDL...

The EDL in action...

Michelle whips Harrington into shape...

This is a picture of Michelle Harrington, wife of well-known fruitloop and non-BNP member Patrick Harrington.

Michelle allegedly works for the BNP in a number of ways, most notably via the BNP's fake union Solidarity, where she apparently earns £36,000 per annum.

And what does she do there? You'll see if you click on the pic and read the text.

Yep, she's an office manager at a place that finds work for people with mental illness. How apt. Did I mention that Pat Harrington works for Solidarity, too?

The British Constitution Group in Birkenhead

Karen Otty, another BNP member moving around the far-right

According to an anti-fascist comrade over the water, the gathering was “a strange collection.” On Monday afternoon, several hundred people assembled outside a court in Birkenhead and attempted to arrest a judge. The protest occurred under the banner of the “British Constitution Group.” But who are they?

My comrade told me that “most of the Liverpool BNP contingent” were there, along with “plenty of suits, plenty of hippy types with tie dye and dreadlocks, some urban commandos with camouflaged faces, and some eccentric David Icke types, one holding a banner saying ‘judges are lizards!’” In terms of fascists, I can recognise Liverpool BNP’s current branch fundholder Karen Otty from the videos on the Wirral Globe website.

It seems Liverpool Organiser and unhinged fruitbat Mike Whitby was there too, at one point being bundled away by police when attempting to enter the court.

The event itself was for Roger Hayes, an ex-member of UKIP, and his refusal to pay council tax. This is as part of the BCG’s campaign of “lawful rebellion,” whereby “a variety of actions may be taken that will eventually lead to the unequivocal recognition of our constitution and the acknowledgement of the reassertion of our national sovereignty.”

Hayes’ sophistry in court has made him a cult hero to the lunatic fringes of the libertarian right, particularly the “freeman on the land” movement. But their absurd idea – that you only have to declare yourself unbound by common law and the state (albeit begrudgingly) accepts this – has also seeped into the far-right. Hence the circular argument over the concept on VNN when Mike Whitby claimed to have used the tactic after being dragged away for throthing at the mouth and calling everyone “communist paedophiles.”

What remains to be seen is whether more will come of this than one rather oddball protest. We know from the rantings on the Liverpool BNP blog, not least Peter Tierney’s, that the rainbow of conspiracy theories that are attached to such movements have support on the far-right. It is thus safe to assume that if another event occurs fascists will be found somewhere amongst the crowd.

The BCG itself cannot be identified as a fascist grouping. It is certainly reactionary, and plays into nationalist sentiments with talk of “national sovereignty” and “acts of treason” by those “conspir[ing] to transfer our national sovereignty into the hands of foreign governance.” But it’s use of terms such as “the shadowy elite of the supranational and criminal banking cartel” play to the conspiracists in much the same way. It thus comes across as a bizarre cross between the Tea Party and the 9/11 Truth Movement.

Ultimately, there are two things we know for certain about the British Constitution Group. One, that it attracts the attention of fascists. And two, that it is a movement of reaction, diverting people’s anger and energy away from the realities of class struggle. Both points make it worth keeping an eye on.

Liverpool Antifascists

Thanks to NewsHound for the heads-up

Decision smacks of 'double standards' claims anti-EDL group

Members of the British Sikh community say they are disappointed that Guramit Singh, one of the self-styled leaders of the English Defence League (EDL), will now not face charges on suspicion of causing religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or distress.

His arrest related to the speech that he made at the EDL protest in Peterborough. The video of his speech is freely available on the internet.

The police decision not to proceed further with his case comes only days after the uproar in the media when Emadur Choudhury, an Islamist extremist, was fined only £50 after burning poppies during Remembrance Day last year.

Balwinder Singh Rana from ‘Sikhs Against the EDL’ said, “This smacks of ‘double standards’. While the media was right to protest against the lenient treatment given to Choudhury for causing an offence to the memory of the fallen soldiers, I think now they should show the same vigour in demanding that Singh should not be allowed to get away for insulting a whole community. Guramit Singh, by fronting the EDL, has only brought shame and embarrassment to the Sikh Community, but most of the community is united in condemning his actions."

Varinder Singh, organiser of the ‘Sikhs Against the EDL’ said, ”At the Luton demonstration against the EDL there was a very strong message sent from the Sikh community that he (Guramit Singh) is an embarrassment. I feel immensely proud seeing the Sikh community unite against the EDL and hold individuals such as Guramit accountable for their actions."

Hillingdon and Uxbridge Times

Accused extremists face court over affray

Ten suspected right-wing extremists have appeared in court charged with violence

The men, from across Tyneside, are accused of attacking doormen at the Tyneside Irish Centre during a rival political meeting. The alleged attack is said to have happened on September 22 last year, when the left-wing Socialist Workers’ Party were meeting at the centre on Gallowgate, Newcastle city centre. The SWP had called the meeting to discuss ways to counter far-right groups.

Rebecca Gibson, prosecuting, told Newcastle Magistrates Court that the 10 men, all believed to be members of the far-right English Defence League, allegedly gathered in nearby Rosie’s Bar. She claimed they then descended on the Irish Centre, hurling abuse and attacking the doormen.

Yesterday, Anthony Burn, 47, of Lecondale Court, Leam Lane, Gateshead; Colin Burton, 27, of Wouldhave Court, South Shields; Peter Duffy, 43, of Elgin Avenue, Seaham, Durham; Michael Garriock, 22, of Gibson Street, Wallsend; Barry Keddy, 33, of Deneholm, Wallsend; Nicholas Mills, 24, of Drumaldrace, Washington; Alan Spence, 45, of Gerald Street, Benwell, Newcastle; Steven Spence, 26, of Whickham View, Benwell; and Paul Starr, 44, of Telford Street, East Howdon, all faced charges of affray and unlawful violence.

Dressed in EDL tops, sportswear and quilted jackets, with several sporting closely-shaven heads, the nine spoke only to confirm their names and addresses. Duffy and Mills denied the offences, but the rest withheld their pleas. The tenth accused, Colin Bell, 35, of St Oswald’s Road, Hebburn, had already denied the same charge when he appeared in court last week.

District Judge Stephen Earl said the case was too serious for the magistrates court and ordered it to be heard by judges at the crown court.

More than 20 supporters, many wearing St George’s flag hoodies, T-shirts and caps, packed out the courtroom for the brief hearing. Outside the court, surrounded heavily by police, some handed out pamphlets but did not mount an organised protest.

All 10 men will return to the magistrates court next month for committal.

The incident followed the Chronicle’s revelation that extremists in Gateshead had torched a copy of the Koran on September 11. The video, posted on YouTube, caused international fury.

Chronice Live

English Defence League racist gets criminal Asbo after abusing Asian family

A FAR-RIGHT racist from Lincoln has been given a 10-year criminal ASBO after hurling abuse at an Asian family.

Shane Overton, 38, a member of the English Defence League (EDL), was given the Criminal Anti-Social Behaviour Order, known as a Crasbo, at Doncaster Crown Court.

It bans him from going to any public meeting organised by the far-right EDL and from travelling by train.

Overton, a self-proclaimed local leader of the EDL, pleaded guilty to a racially aggravated public order offence, which happened at Doncaster train station as he returned from an EDL rally in Newcastle on May 29 last year.

He shouted racist and Islamophobic abuse at an Asian couple and their two young children as they waited on the station platform.

It is just the second time a Crasbo has been used against members of the EDL.

Acting detective inspector Simon Bromiley, of Lincolnshire Police, said: "We are extremely pleased with this result.

"We have worked closely with our national partners on this case and we are hopeful that utilising this kind of legislation will enable us to curb Overton's offending and tackle racism and Islamophobia in our community in the future."

Chief Inspector Tom Naughton, of British Transport Police, said: "Racist abuse of any sort is unacceptable, but the nature of Overton's insults levelled at a family minding their own business sitting on the platform were despicable.

"Everyone has the right to travel without fear of abuse or threatening behaviour and when that behaviour is further exacerbated by racist undertones, our stance becomes firmer still."

Overton, of Parker Avenue, off Brant Road, Lincoln, was given a football banning order along with 10 other people in 2001 after trouble at a Lincoln City v Hull City game.

The terms of his Crasbo prevent him travelling on any train or entering a railway station, participating in, organising or controlling an EDL event or from entering in to or loitering outside any mosque, Islamic prayer room, meeting room, school, cultural centre or festival site, or any site under development for these purposes.

DC Andy Haworth, of the National Domestic Extremism Unit, a national police unit which worked alongside the transport police and Lincolnshire Police, said: "It is only the second time a Crasbo of this nature has been granted to individuals participating in EDL demonstrations.

"It is widely anticipated other police forces will follow suit and apply for Crasbos to stop violent individuals from subverting otherwise legitimate, lawful protests.

"While the Defence Leagues is entitled to protest, violence has been a persistent feature of their demonstrations.

"On this occasion, an offence was committed while travelling from a demonstration."

Yvette Levy, the local CPS Criminal ASBO lead, said: "No one should be made to feel fear or concern for their safety purely because of the language they speak or the colour of their skin.

"Overton's victims were subjected to racially offensive language while patiently waiting for their train.

"The extreme views expressed by Overton caused two children to cling to their parents in fear."

Simon Cressy, of the anti-fascist magazine Searchlight, said: "Once again, we see the racist side of the EDL rearing its ugly head.

"Searchlight will be watching closely to make sure Overton stays away from future EDL events."

This Is Lincolnshire

Go On Denise - PLEASE Let Me Call It "Kebabgate"...

Now there's a Celebrity Endorsement you could live without...

In the heyday of British Variety there was a perennial bottom-of-the-bill known only as “He Can Take Any Punishment!”

For almost thirty years, this mysterious masked man would invite members of the audience to punch, slap, kick, gouge, scratch and generally abuse him while he remained entirely impassive. And whistled a merry tune. For ten minutes, twice nightly.

It was truly a Golden Age of family entertainment, right?

Today, the only people you'll ever come across with such a capacity for relentless punishment are the BNP Faithful.

They'll happily take whatever is dished out to them. Lied to. Ripped off. Kept in the dark. Lied to again. Told to hand over even more of their money. Suspended on a whim. Lied to yet again (but really badly this time). Driven to the nearest cashpoint and ordered to hand over their PIN number. Expelled.

And still they just stand there and take it. Whistling.

It seems there's nothing left for their Party Leaders to try that will actually annoy these people.

But now, Griffin has managed it.

What's he done? Has he finally lost it and mugged a pensioner? Kicked a kitten? Announced that he's joining Nation of Islam and wishes to be known henceforth as Brother Nicholas X?

No. Last night – I'm sorry to report – Mr Nicholas Montgomery Falstaff Churchill Bader Griffin, MEP, Tweeted that he'd bought a kebab.

The reaction from his Facebook Chums was immediate, confused and seismic.

A “Chris Spring” set the ball rolling with “...what? Kebab shop that serves HALAL?”

“Jackie Dunn” was swift to register her dismay. “not a kebab surely???”

And “Charlie White” spoke for many: “Standards r slippin nick”. (Of English, Charlie?)

“Terry Fleming”, riding to the rescue armed with a potential Get Out Of Jail Card for his Leader, opines “Kebab ??? Have you been fraped or what?” (“Frape”, for anyone over 16, is “Facebook Rape” - someone else posting things on your Facebook or Twitter account after you've forgotten to log out.)

But Nick doesn't bite - (He's already coping with a mouthful of delicious, spicy, mechanically recovered connective tissue, remember) – and things quickly escalate.

“your a bawbag if you go into kebab shops,why don,t you quit right now.” says “Neil Mcivor”.

The idea of anyone on his Facebook list calling openly for the Dear Leader to quit is unprecedented. The fact that someone would actually call him a “bawbag” to his face(book) has to be up there with Old Testament miracles.

And no. I don't know what a “bawbag” is. I bet it's horrid, though.

“We should be asking nick if it was halal meet?? So nick, was it?” asks Charlie; clearly hoping against hope that it isn't true.

So was it, Nick? Your Membership demand to be told!

The Accounts? They're not bothered! IRA Supporters on the Party Payroll? Pish! The mysterious disappearing Truth Truck? Who cares! Two years without a win? A mere detail! The Party disintegrating faster than a Lego hand grenade?

No-one could care less.

But say you fancy a Doner and you could have the Membership storming Welshpool like the Winter Palace. (Or possibly - given Griffin's lifestyle and manner - more like Peter Ustinov getting his come-uppance in “Quo Vadis”.)

Best stick to Pie and Mash (Double. With extra Liquor.) in future...


Edit As a few of the comments have been deleted from Griffin's Facebook page, here is a screengrab I took last night.