Man acquitted of racially abusing parking attendant is BNP candidate
A PENSIONER cleared of racially abusing a traffic warden is standing as a British National Party candidate in tomorrow's elections, the Echo can reveal.
Christopher Stone told the Echo after the verdict that he was not a racist after being acquitted of abusing the female parking attendant outside a car boot sale in Marsh Barton.
-
The 67-year-old, who is the only BNP candidate standing in Exeter, was tried at the city's Crown Court. Yesterday a jury of five men and seven women found Mr Stone not guilty of the offence.
Mr Stone, of Chestnut Avenue, Wonford, who is standing for the seat in Priory ward, faced a charge of causing Sarah Marillier-Brown harassment, alarm or distress, with intent, that was racially aggravated.
He was accused of shouting at the traffic warden and launching a tirade of racist abuse after approaching her while she ticketed a row of vehicles parked on a single yellow line, in Matford Park Road.
He was also alleged by a witness to have said "I suppose you Muslims have your own parking space" and that she should "go back to your own country", the court was told.
The incident was alleged to have happened last October.
During her evidence, Mrs Marillier-Brown said she feared Mr Stone was going to hit her and said that he took her photograph.
She told the court she felt intimidated and scared.
Mr Stone accepted he spoke to her about the ticketing of cars but denied the allegations he had been abusive and threatening towards her.
During his evidence, Mr Stone said he had not been ticketed himself but was complaining because an elderly woman who had been given a ticket could not afford to pay it and that it was poorly signed.
It was suggested in court a 'blind eye' had been turned to parking there in the past and that people were complaining about being ticketed on a Sunday.
He also said he was going to have her photo published in the Echo, the court was told.
Mr Stone gave evidence he was expressing his opinion and said at the time: "If you were black, pink, Indian, or orange or Pakistani, you would not get these tickets, it's because you are white, that's a fact."
He said another man was remonstrating and shouting at her before he got there.
Mr Stone claimed the traffic department in Exeter operated a ticketing system which discriminated against white people, which Recorder Palmer QC suggested was "an extraordinary view".
After the verdict, Mr Stone told the Echo he was "greatly relieved", before thanking the jury and claiming justice had been served. He said the BNP was "nothing to do with racism."
Mr Stone, a retired truck driver, said he had decided to stand for the party to represent causes and "ordinary people being trodden on".
He said he did not believe the case would affect his chances in tomorrow's council election.
"I am very, very confident," said Mr Stone.
"I think it will improve my chances.
"Why I am standing has nothing to do with racism at all.
"I have worked with coloured people, black people. I had a coloured girlfriend years ago.
"I am not a racist. I want to stand up for the ordinary people in the street. People are so afraid to speak up.
"British people are getting pushed to the back of the queue in favour of foreign people who come to this country."
He added: "The BNP is not a racist party and we are not thugs."
25 Comments
View all
by Jane, Devon
Friday, September 10 2010, 7:04PM
“I am intrigued as to why my comment stating that Mr Stone was a BNP candidate was removed from the previous article. It was a fact openly available on the ECC website.
Do the Echo not like being scooped by us?”
by Marty, Exeter
Friday, September 10 2010, 10:39AM
“The bloke verbally insulted some woman for doing her job. That's not on, whether or not she was Muslim. I despair at people's intolerance at times. People with these views make up 'facts' to justify their hatred of others. EU is against British Law?? Do me a favour. We don't have a constitution for a start.”
by Russ, The Black Country
Thursday, September 09 2010, 10:27PM
“Bellysome, The point is that John "can" walk into a bank with his face covered simply by wearing muslim attire, no one would have any idea who he is, now that is a health and safety issue, wearing a crucifix isn't unhealthy and certainly isn't unsafe.
The impression you give is that everyone must be forced to accept and embrace multiculturalism wether they want to or not, if anyone questions the implications of having different laws and rules for different communities and cultures you simply shout them down as evil racists, you are pro-multiculturalism and you just won't tolerate anyone who isn't.”
by Bellysome, Crediton
Thursday, September 09 2010, 2:51PM
“I'm not quite sure how John's quality of life is impared by not being able to wear a mask into a bank.... The very nature of freedom is that different people can do different things according to their culture - if it doesnt adversly affect society. A Sikh not wearing a crash-helmet is not a big issue and nor should a Hijab be.
Wearing a crucifix is not an everyday part of Christian faith. Its permitted at work where Health and Safety allows.
The impression you give is that everyone is always trying to get the better of you or do you down in some way - and its that politics of Fear that the BNP thrives on.
Simply by being intolerant and wishing to take away our concessions to other races and faiths - you are racist.”
by heathy, plymouth
Thursday, September 09 2010, 10:58AM
“Good on you Chris and good luck in the election and remember its success enough knowing that youve given those who want to vote for the only party that puts Britons first a chance for a change!”
by its all a load of bow lochs, exeter
Thursday, September 09 2010, 10:22AM
“We've been oppressed and racially abused blah blah blah. Hey, i've been oppressed for the whole of my life - if i want to practice my religion of growing and smoking cannabis i can be put in prison. Anyone that complains they are being racially abused needs to grow up - we're all being racially abused, all the time ! Its human nature to oppress others ! Get with it !”
by Bellysome, Crediton
Thursday, September 09 2010, 9:12AM
“Standing for the BNP shows such a weakness for judgement as to make him unelectable.”
by Russ, The Black Country
Thursday, September 09 2010, 9:04AM
“Well said Bert,Som, but I wouldn't worry too much about Robbie West Devon, it's most likely Gerry Gable using one of his aliases, I refuse to believe that anyone with even a modicum of intelligence would seriously suggest that the BNP are racist.”
by John, Exeter
Thursday, September 09 2010, 8:56AM
“Oh! I forgot to mention earlier, the Muslim society does get treated differently than anyone else and uncontrolled allowances and legislation has perpetuated this, e.g. I cannot enter a shop or bank with my face covered, a Muslim can. I am not allowed to publically demonstrate my religion in the workplace (wear a crucifix, cross etc), a Musilim can. I have to display my features if interviewed by the police, a Muslim does not. Is this fairness? Common readers, I am not racist, lets get this into perspective, I am allowed to voice my despair at what is happening to my culture aren't I???? I now have to tell my children that Christmas is now called the "White Festival". Get a life !!”
by John, Exeter
Thursday, September 09 2010, 8:45AM
“I have known Chris for 50 years and he is a regular guy. He was found NOT GUILTY so why is everyone hounding him. He is not racist and is just a local guy, who like us all is concerned that things are not fair in the UK and if you take Exeter where there are 6000+ people on the Exeter City Council Housing waiting list, (some for 10 years), who cannot and are not provided with local authority housing, yet hundreds of people are sent down from the Dover Immigation clearing centre, only being in the UK 5 weeks and are provided with Exeter City Housing stock, whilst the people who have dutifully waited for 10 years are overlooked. To make things worse these people then receive a delivery from Comet with their TV & DVD and electrical gods provided free as was the case last year in Mincinglake Road, Stoke Hill. This is grossly unfair, however, if you say anything, then you are branded a RACIST. Chris is not a racist and for the record neither am I !! Chris you would get my vote if it was anyone other than the BNP. It is about time we all became less sensitive about less than 2% of the UK population (Muslim) and spoke out against unfairness. We in the UK do not have a problem vilifying the "travellers" who are predominantly Irish and Romanian and they get slagged of by people and the press daily and they account for 2% of the UK population as well, FAIR or UNFAIR???”