Campaigners protest at BNP leaflet handout
ANTI-RACISM campaigners will take to the city tomorrow to protest against the British National Party.
The move by Unite Against Fascism comes after the BNP handed out leaflets in Exeter's Bedford Square — before being moved on by police.
Members of the anti-racism organisation say they are "extremely worried" that the BNP took to the streets of Exeter.
They have been given permission by city centre bosses to hand out leaflets aimed at discouraging people from supporting the right-wing group.
The BNP claims it is "standing up for the rights of British workers" in light of the recent furore over jobs at the Lindsey Oil Refinery in North Lincolnshire being given to Italian workers.
City centre manager John Harvey said the BNP had not been given permission to use Bedford Square and would not have been permitted to use the area had it requested to do so.
He said: "The BNP did indeed come to Bedford Square on Saturday, January 31, and started to leaflet. As soon as operational commitments allowed, the police were contacted and moved the BNP on.
"No formal booking for the space was made by the BNP and had they sought the booking they would have not been given consent to use the square.
"Any organisation that is likely to cause offence to shoppers or businesses or could raise potential public order concerns is not appropriate for Bedford Square. For both of those reasons there would be a problem with the BNP using the space."
Lizi Allnatt, a member of Unite Against Fascism, who will be handing out leaflets tomorrow, said: "From our point of view, it is extremely worrying that the BNP took to the streets.
"The BNP has jumped on the bandwagon about British jobs for British workers.
"Most people can see that they don't have a history of supporting workers. They are just using this as a way of pushing themselves forward.
"Having the BNP on the streets of Exeter is very dangerous and we are hoping to redress the balance tomorrow."
Mike Turner, Exeter organiser for the BNP, said: "I told the policeman who moved us on that we are a bona fide organisation and that we have the right to be on the street.
"We had plenty of people coming up to us and asking us questions — it was very well received by the public.
"We certainly didn't jump on the bandwagon of supporting British workers — we have been saying that for a long, long time.
"We weren't allowed to use the space because they are anti-BNP. Nobody else gets bullied on the streets like we do."
41 Comments
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by Hannah, Exeter
Monday, April 27 2009, 3:04PM
“The BNP would appear far more ligitimate as a political party, if it's supporters refrained from sounding like aggressive uneducated idiots when posting online comments. If you really want to display your love for Great Britian, perhaps a good start might be to learn to speak and write the English language correctly.
When you stop portraying yourselves and the party you support as complete imbeciles, then maybe people might start take you more seriously and listen to what you have to say. Aggression does not win votes.”
by Ann, Torquay
Wednesday, February 11 2009, 9:03AM
“I note Francis of Crediton says
'I don't like the BNP one bit'
does that mean he 'likes' what is happening to our once beautiful country and all that it is becoming.
Think again Francis!!!!!”
by Cheryl, Exeter
Saturday, February 07 2009, 7:10PM
“Hang on, the UAF are more extreme than the BNP!”
by mike, shaldon
Saturday, February 07 2009, 7:07PM
“Being british is out fair play ,understanding and being tolerant of othersand the beliefs.
In britain there are now a fastly growing minority who ar intolerant of our lifetyles and belifs and these people have no intention of intergration.
this fuels the BNP and they have a valid point.”
by Nigel M, Cullompton
Saturday, February 07 2009, 10:42AM
“"The question as to whether Bedford Square is in the public domain or private is quite irrelevant. "
Actually Peter no it isn't - otherwise a political party would be entitled to leaflet from your house - which I'm sure you wouldn't appreciate.
The owner of private property has the right to deny access to almost any person for almost any activity they choose. This is an older right than any of the 'human rights' legislation from Europe being touted here.
In the meantime perhaps Tony from Manchester (?) would like to enlighten us to exactly what constitutes "been British"”
by finnlay, exeter
Saturday, February 07 2009, 8:18AM
“Bedford square is not a public space but is owned by the company who built the new shopping complex there. so regardless of any ones political stance you need permission to leaflet there. then is the shooping centre manager who makes gives the go a head for any group to be there. The BNP members who where doing the leafleting should have try'd too book the square then if the booking wasnt givin could have taken it further.”
by Kelly, Exeter
Saturday, February 07 2009, 7:04AM
“I am not a member of the BNP and before this government ruined the country I would never have considered voting anything but, Labour. I am obviously then one of many to be blamed for the complete state the country is now in. Throughout recent months I have seen many protestors trying to prevent the BNP from their political rights, all I can say is it is making me more4intrigued in what they have to say. Wish I had been in town to get a leaflet.!!!”
by Robbie, Expat ex N Cornwall (Bude)
Saturday, February 07 2009, 3:41AM
“As a former resident of North Cornwall who often visited Exeter regularly . read your pages, enjoy, but seldom comment.
This I find absolutely deplorable: what exactly is becoming of Britain I wonder, when a council officer can arbitarily decide to ban and have a legimate political party removed from the city centre, wasting valuable police resources in the process., and probably illegally.
I'm what used to be known as a "floating voter" , I owe no allegiance to any political party.
However, I am a passionate believer in our wonderful British ideal of freedom of speech and ideas , it's what made Britain Great.
In my my far away opinion, this particular council official should be disciplined for intefrereing with our time honoured protocol of Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Expression”
by ken, Perth
Saturday, February 07 2009, 2:29AM
“Its bash the BNP time again.
For gods sake grow up, let the good people of Exeter decide what they want to read im sure they dont want the likes of John Harvey to tell them what to do or not to do.
Get over it the BNP are here to stay.”
by Tony, Manchester
Saturday, February 07 2009, 1:49AM
“I find Unite Against Fascism highly offensive, with their marxist policies and their hatred for the true British people, nevermind their inane belief that having a British passport is the only requirement for been British. I suppose I can expect them to be moved on then? Clearly not!
Labour are going to recieve the beating they deserve in the upcoming European Elections.”