BNP man on hate mail charge

| Saturday, 29 April 2006 Source: Halifax Courier

A BRITISH National Party activist will appear in court next week accused of sending an offensive letter to a Labour councillor.

Brian Darren Wainwright has been charged with sending a letter conveying an indecent or offensive message, following an investigation by Calderdale Police.

It is alleged he sent the material to long-standing councillor Mohammed Najib, who represents Park ward, Halifax.

It is believed the letter sent to Coun Najib purported to be from the violent extremist group Combat 18.

Councillor Najib is believed to have received letters that threatened to spill blood and which made derogatory comments about Allah.

Mr Wainwright (37) of Lee Mount Road, Lee Mount, Halifax, will appear before Calderdale magistrates on May 4 – local elections day.

Detective Inspector John Mountain confirmed Mr Wainwright had been charged with an offence relating to an offensive letter.

Mr Wainwright has stood for election in the past, but was unsuccessful. In 2004 he was BNP candidate for Ovenden ward, but the three seats were maintained by Labour's Linda Riordan, who polled 1,263 votes, Helen Rivron who managed 1,189 and Bryan Smith, who received 1,254. Mr Wainwright received 894 votes and fellow BNP colleague Chris Godridge polled 938.

Mr Wainwright was also BNP Parliamentary candidate for Hull North in 2005, but received only 766 votes compared to Labour's Diana Johnson, who polled 15,364.

Councillor Najib was the first Asian to be elected to Calderdale Council in July 1986. He later became deputy mayor.

He told the Courier: "I am glad that somebody has been brought before the courts."