Death threats for politician after BNP members list is leaked
A SENIOR BNP councillor claims he has received death threats after the identities of thousands of party activists were illegally posted on the internet.
Councillor Michael Coleman who serves the Weston and Meir North ward of Stoke-on-Trent, said the threats came after about 12,000 names, addresses and even job titles of BNP members across the UK were leaked on Tuesday night.
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BNP councillor Michael Coleman
The list, which was removed from the web within hours, is understood to have named police officers, teachers and members of the armed forces as members of the far-right party.
It included about 100 names from Stoke-on-Trent, including one ex-servicemen, an accountant and a web designer.
There were also almost 20 names from Newcastle, 10 from Crewe, nine from Stafford and Stone, four from the Staffordshire Moorlands, four from Nantwich and two from Congleton.
One man from the Berry Hill area of Stoke-on-Trent, who did not want to be named, was surprised to find he was listed as a party activist.
He said: "I didn't know anything about the list and I haven't been a member of the BNP for the last four years, so I don't know how my name got on there."
Mr Coleman said he had received several calls from worried members who feared for their jobs after the leak. And he said he had also been threatened by malicious callers who had found his telephone number on the list.
"I have had a couple of death threats, but I get those anyway and they don't really affect me," he said. "But I know that that sort of thing does affect some people and I am really outraged that someone has done this.
"I think as we get stronger and more successful, we are probably going to see more of this sort of thing, but it won't stop the movement.
"A few people have phoned me saying they work in sensitive positions and are very worried indeed.
"I have got serious concerns for them because I know that, with the jobs they are in, this could be very damaging for their careers."
But Stoke-on-Trent City Council's Labour group leader, councillor Joy Garner, questioned why BNP members should feel ashamed of their political views.
"I have no problem with people knowing I'm a Labour Party member, and it does make me wonder why some BNP members are ashamed of their party membership. It does worry me that some of these people may work in the public sector, because public services are supposed to be fair to all and the BNP has admitted it is a discriminatory organisation."
Rob Flello, MP for Stoke-on-Trent South and an anti-BNP campaigner, criticised the leak as a flagrant breach of privacy laws.
He said: "While I abhor the policies that the BNP stands for, this breach of the Data Protection Act is absolutely disgraceful and I would expect the BNP to take appropriate action under the legislation."
A Staffordshire Police spokesman said the force had thoroughly checked the list and found nothing to suggest that any of its staff were BNP members.
The police force is the only organisation where staff are banned from joining the party.
33 Comments
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by Pedant, Stoke
Friday, November 21 2008, 11:19PM
“I only read the comments to see the hilarious spelling mistakes - I can hardly type for laughing at some of them. If you're going to make a contribution to the debate, don't undermine it by making it unintentionally funny. Whatever people think of the level of literacy in this area I shudder to think.”
by Chris Cooper, newcastle under lyme
Friday, November 21 2008, 11:12AM
“For all those who think that publishing this list is OK well hang on a minute, how about the Labour, Liberal and Tories publish their membership lists and details. I see no Civil Libereties band wagon drawing up to comment on this issue mhere do you? How about those proud anti Racist bods at Norscar Come out and publish their list? I think not, I`m not a member of the BNP, but I deplore the fact that their rights have been breached. What would be the outcry had someone leaked NORSCARS membership list or the depleted Labour Party List, I cant see the Independant coalition quango Party in Stoke or Nationally having a membership list apart from those misguided individuals that form this ultra loose linkage for their collective benefit, hang on I think I described Joy Garners lot there for a second, as for Joys take on this issue I suppose she would`nt mind anyone publishing a list of local Labour members, I think apart from Councillors, MPs and Euro MEPS the membership in Stoke would`nt add up too 100.
All this does not detract from the fact that a crime against a legitimate Political Party has been Committed and needs addressing, and too bolster up Democracy and Civil Liberties the usual Criers of such aid should stand firmly behind the resolution of this state and assist where necessary to drag the idiots that did this before the Courts.”
by Chris, Stone
Friday, November 21 2008, 10:02AM
“It's amazing how everyone on here calls for the poor family from Cameroon to go home one week, and then the next criticises the BNP for their beliefs. You're all a bunch of closet racists and as far as I'm concerned as bad as the BNP!”
by Bill, Hanley
Friday, November 21 2008, 9:51AM
“Inside job. They posted the list themselves so that this would happen to generate sympathy and votes. For their sakes it's to be hoped that the police investigation doesn't uncover this but with their level of security I can't see any other reason.”
by le robbensson, Knowle Bristol
Friday, November 21 2008, 2:14AM
“BNP = FOOLS
Cant run a members list, yet claim they can run the country
The BNP are doomed! Good Riddance”
by Anita, meir hay
Thursday, November 20 2008, 8:33PM
“I personally do not agree with BNP policies, but acknowledge that if people wish to join this party, that is their choice.
In this case, it was totally wrong for names and addresses of members, phone numbers etc etc, to be available for all to see.”
by anon, cheshire
Thursday, November 20 2008, 6:40PM
“I guess in this land we called England we are no longer to have our political allegiances any more regardless if the BNP are recognised as a political party and appear on the ballot sheet.
Sounds a bit like Ireland oh dictatorial especially from our delight inept Liebour government.
All too often people in this country complain about the state it is in with its scourges of society sucking dry our benefits system, high levels of immigration and crack pot justice system yet the moment anyone attempts to make a stance and fight for our rights the same very people kick off.
I am for a democratic society but this matter is gone a little too far especially with civil servants losing their jobs and being persecuted for their political beliefs.
The person responsible for the leak should be prosecuted, that's the only person who should be persecuted”
by T COPE, TUNSTALL.
Thursday, November 20 2008, 5:40PM
“Is joy garner not capable of speaking her own words, she repeated word for word what that other fool Jaqie Smith said on the news this morning.
I am a member of the BNP and have never been ashamed of that fact,
As for people losing their jobs, why were not the 8 police personel, with terrorists links, not dissmissed from the police, or harrassed like BNP members, hypocrites or what.
Also child murderers are afforded secrecy but not BNP members.”
by Alex, Newcastle
Thursday, November 20 2008, 5:10PM
“I dont give a flying bottle kiln what happens to the BNP. If they are so dedicated to their cause then what is the problem. They obviously know they should be fully ashamed and anyone in the public sector should be dismissed.”
by Warren, Stoke on Trent
Thursday, November 20 2008, 4:52PM
“Tell you something Ron, I dont give flyng oatcake for the BNP, hate them for some of the things they come out with. I do belive in freedom of speach and upholding the law, the law was broken with the publication of that list and that seems to have been forgeten hear .”