Editor in BNP web slur

| Thursday, 18 August 2005 Source: Press Gazette

The editor of the Dewsbury & District Press Danny Lockwood has contacted lawyers after being wrongly described as a British National Party press officer on the Hold the Front Page website.

It is believed the erroneous information was added to an accurate CV of Lockwood which was posted on the website. It was amended to read: "Press Officer, British National Party, 1993 - present."

Lockwood said: "I can think of no more dangerous or damaging a falsehood, either personally to me and my family, or professionally to my business."

HTFP is jointly owned by Johnston Press in partnership with Trinity Mirror, Newsquest and Northcliffe. Lockwood launched the Dewsbury & District Press in 2002, a rival to Johnston and TM titles.

Lockwood's solicitor Richard Cramer said: "The matter is now in the hands of solicitors and we are awaiting a response from Northcliffe Electronic Publishing's solicitors to avoid proceedings."

Hold the Front Page removed the BNP reference to Lockwood after being contacted by Lockwood. HTFP editor Patrick Astill declined to comment to Press Gazette.