Ex-leader quits to fight for himself

The Sentinel | Thursday, 21 January 2010 | Click here for original article

FORMER BNP group leader councillor Alby Walker has formally quit the party to focus on fighting his election campaigns as an independent candidate.

His departure comes exactly a month after he stunned fellow group members by resigning as leader without warning.

The Abbey Green ward member, who led the BNP group since 2006, announced that he planned to stand against the far-right party's national deputy leader, Simon Darby, for the Stoke-on-Trent Central Parliamentary seat.

The news caused embarrassment for Mr Darby and party chairman Nick Griffin, as it coincided with the national launch of their General Election campaign on Friday at Meir Community Education Centre.

Mr Walker, pictured, said his decision to leave the party will enable him to focus on the elections as an independent candidate.

He announced his resignation to council officials in a short email yesterday, saying: "I have decided to leave the BNP group. I now consider myself an independent councillor."

The move leaves the BNP with just eight seats on the council, although it remains the third largest political group.

However, it is not clear whether the group's numbers will dwindle even further, as Mr Walker's wife and fellow Abbey Green ward member, Ellie, is understood to be considering her future with the party.

Mr Walker said: "My position had become a bit obscure, as I had stepped down as BNP group leader and decided to stand as an independent candidate, but I was still a group member.

"I hope that leaving the party will make things clearer for people.

"After an amazing show of support from Abbey Green residents, I will be standing as an independent candidate in the elections.

"I have also been pledged my first donation of £250 towards my General Election campaign by a supportive resident, and now I am looking for the other £250 to cover my deposit."

Speaking during a visit to Strasbourg, Mr Darby said yesterday that he couldn't understand why his former ally had turned against him.

He said: "I think Alby's decision is very strange.

"I am determined not to fall out with Alby, because he has done a lot of good work for us.

"If he wants to run a good campaign for his ward then we won't stand in his way, but I don't think he has really made his mind up about standing for the Parliamentary seat."

He added: "We have got a real chance of winning that seat and I won't deny the people of Stoke-on-Trent a proper choice."

Mrs Walker was unavailable for comment yesterday.