Darby in hot water

posted by: Nick Lowles | on: Tuesday, 14 April 2009, 12:56

Simon Darby must have been choking on his cut-price lamb cutlets over the weekend as he read the editorial of the News of the World. Darby’s visit to an international fascist conference in Italy has come back to haunt him like a well-thrown boomerang.

The News of the World editorial was explicit in its condemnation. “Anyone doubting the danger of the BNP should look no further than the straight-arm salutes greeting deputy leader Simon Darby at a meeting in Mussolini’s old stamping ground.”

There was more bad news today when the story was carried in the Evening Standard. Focusing on Darby’s role as a part-time assistant to BNP Assembly member Richard Barnbrook, it began: “

A British National Party official at City Hall came under fire today after he attended a conference where European neo-fascists gave Nazi salutes.”

I am perplexed by Darby’s actions. He has avoided controversy and was seen by many as a respectable replacement to party leader Nick Griffin. That was until now. Fortunately, Darby’s visit to the fascist conference came just in time for us to incorporate it on 800,000 leaflets which began rolling off the press this morning.