Manchester United legend Paddy Crerand wants to boot out BNP

Daily Mirror by Ros Wynne-Jones | Monday, 25 May 2009 | Click here for original article

Manchester United legend Paddy Crerand is backing our Hope not Hate campaign.

He said he was appalled BNP leader Nick Griffin was standing for election in the city.

Speaking at Old Trafford he added: "Manchester is a wonderful, tolerant city. Every nationality, race, creed and colour is here."

Pointing to the statue of Sir Matt Busby he went on: "He'd tell you the same if he were still alive."

Crerand, signed by Sir Matt in 1963, was welcoming anti-racist ambassador Billy Bragg before our Hope not Hate bus moves on to Crosby today. The musician told him thousands of antiracist papers produced with the Mirror were going out city-wide.

Paddy said Manchester United stood firm against racism and added: "When I was growing up in Glasgow as a Catholic I couldn't even play for Rangers. That's the sort of division the BNP wants.

"Rio Ferdinand wouldn't be in the England side if they had their way. I told him that - it's important to remind people." Billy Bragg told him: "We're doing what we can to get people behind us. I'm from Barking where there are several BNP councillors. I want to help stop any BNP being elected in the Euro elections."

On Saturday Billy performed a gig for activists at a union office in Salford. Later he played at the city's Strummercamp. He said: "I'm still inspired by the union movement. Political parties change their spots but unions stay the same."

When our bus hits the Crosby Hope not Hate festival today bands will include China Crisis and The Christians.

To buy tickets for our finale on May 30 at Stoke's Love Music Hate Racism Festival - featuring performances from Pete Doherty and Kelly Rowland - log on to www.stokelmhrfestival.com.