MP furious over smear

By Neil Elkes, Evening Mail | Tuesday, 4 January 2005 | Click here for original article

A Birmingham MP has accused the British National Party of a smear campaign after political leaflets falsely claimed he had been reported to police for inciting violence.

The far right BNP leaflet The Weoley Castle Patriot, delivered to homes in the area in October, claimed the Northfield Labour MP Richard Burden was encouraging violence through anti-fascist groups and that he had been reported to police for distributing inflammatory literature.

Mr Burden believes it refers to his backing of peaceful anti-fascist protests against a visit to the West Midlands by French National Front leader Jean-Marie Le Pen.

The leaflet also linked him to a racist vandal attack at the Birmingham Central Mosque, which it claimed was carried out to discredit the BNP.

Mr Burden said he was shocked when a resident produced the leaflet and repeated the allegations to him.

He immediately wrote to West Midlands Police who confirmed that no such complaint had been made.

Mr Burden said: "I suppose I should not have been surprised, they peddle stories about people from different races and religions a great deal. I guess I got the same treatment because I stand up to them and will not let their lies go unchallenged in our local community.

"The BNP is desperate to gain a foothold in a predominantly white, working class area like my Northfield constituency. To do so they are trying to project a respectable image, wearing suits and pretending to be active in the local community.

"The message to people in Northfield and elsewhere is clear. Don't be conned by the BNP."

In a letter to Mr Burden, Supt Simon Cross, from Bournville Lane Police Station, said: "I am able to clarify that if such a complaint had been received by the West Midlands Police, it would have been forwarded for my attention.

"This is not the case and, to date, I have not received any correspondence relating to such behaviour."

No-one from the BNP could be contacted for comment.