Two More Arrested as Result of BBC's BNP Documentary

| Monday, 16 August 2004 | Click here for original article

Police investigating claims made in an undercover documentary on the British National Party arrested two men today for allegedly sending malicious communication.

The pair, who have not been named, were questioned by West Yorkshire Police, who are probing revelations made in the BBC programme Secret Agent.

A 40-year-old man from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, was charged with sending malicious communication, while a 38-year-old-man, also from Dewsbury, was cautioned for the same offence, a police spokeswoman said.

It is an offence to send an indecent, offensive or threatening letter, electronic communication or other article to another person.

A West Yorkshire police spokeswoman said: "Following the broadcast of the Secret Agent programme, police have arrested two men in connection with malicious communication.

"A 40-year-old man from Dewsbury has been charged with sending malicious communication and will appear at Dewsbury Magistrates' Court on August 26.

"A 38-year-old man has been cautioned with sending malicious communication."

A BNP spokesman today said he was unaware of the arrests and did not know if the pair were party members.

The covertly-filmed documentary footage exposed BNP activists confessing to race-hate crimes and party leader Nick Griffin condemning Islam as a "vicious, wicked faith".

Police immediately launched an investigation after the broadcast, which had – before today – already resulted in the arrest and of six men.

Amongst the group, who have all been released on bail, was BNP councillor Chris Kirby, who was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage.

Those previously bailed also included a 23-year-old Bradford man who was arrested in connection with racially aggravated public order offences and a 51-year-old Bradford man who was arrested in connection with racially aggravated harassment.