I've quit BNP for my girl -- Dad's party shame

By Scott Hussey | Friday, 9 April 2004 Source: Daily Record

A BRITISH National Party candidate has stood down after his daughter told him to quit.

Alistair Harper, 75, planned to stand for the far-right party in Scotland.

The retired teacher, from Lathalmond, Fife, said he was proud to be chosen by the BNP to stand as a candidate in the European parliment elections in June.

But after a showdown with his daughter Helen, a 43 year-old PhD student at Aberdeen University, he has now not only quit as their candidate, but renounced his membership of the party.

Harper said: 'Helen is a liberal elitist and is forthright in her opinions, like me. She urged me to renounce my membership.

'My family come above my political opinions so I did what Helen wanted. They were not against me expressing my views, but joining the BNP was a step too far.'

BNP leaders have vowed to find another candidate while local Tory leaders have said they would consider accepting Harper to stand for them.