Union's fear on BNP vote

| Thursday, 27 May 2004

RACE attacks will rise if the BNP wins seats in June's elections, Unison chiefs are to warn today.

The public service union is launching a campaign on the dangers of the Far Right. A report will claim that in areas with elected BNP councillors racial assaults have tripled.

It will also say the NHS could be damaged because the party will snub vital foreign workers.

Adverts show a bottle marked British National Poison with the warning: "Do Not Swallow". Another displays a ballot paper marked with a swastika cross saying: "Be careful with your vote."

The adverts come as the BNP launched its own party political broadcast claiming white girls are being drugged and groomed for sex by Asian men.

Unison General Secretary Dave Prentis said: "If we don't act we run the risk of allowing racists to hijack the election process."