BNP leaflet under investigation

| Monday, 14 June 2004 | Click here for original article

Claims that a BNP leaflet contained inflammatory statements which could incite racial hatred are being investigated by police.

The Race Equality Council (REC) for Gloucestershire has complained about the party's European election leaflet.

Headed "Asylum is making Britain explode", it was delivered to 30m houses before the European elections.

The BNP denies it was racist and that it is important that all political parties can air their views.

The leaflet stated that the "government is planning to build five giant new cities, each the size of Birmingham, over the next 30 years, to house over five million new immigrants".

'No debate'

It also said that "around two million illegal immigrants and asylum seekers" were pushing the benefits system and health service "to breaking point".

The Race Equality Council claims this breaches the 1986 Public Order Act.

Dr Phillip Edwards, a spokesman for the BNP, said: "There is a problem in this democracy if we are not allowed to open the debate without being thrown into jail.

"But in fact the leaflet does not carry anything about race - it is about immigration and asylum."

A spokeswoman for Gloucestershire police has confirmed the complaint is "under investigation"