BNP man 'hijacks' freedom event

| Friday, 24 November 2006 Source: The Press (Dewsbury)

A FUNDRAISING event for The Press's Freedom of Speech Fund has been cancelled after the BNP was accused of hijacking the event for political gain.

BNP councillor Colin Auty, who performs with Irish band Red Claire, had offered to put on a concert but BNP official Nick Cass seized the opportunity to fire off an e-mail to Kirklees councillors.

Mr Cass set up an email address "defendfreespeechfund" to give credibility to his statement - and sent a letter to councillors, which sparked an angry response.

Freedom of Speech Fund spokesman Jonathan Scott said he had issued an apology to Kirklees councillors and said: "This attempt to politicise our campaign is unacceptable.

"The Freedom of Speech Fund is strictly non-political and while politicians and councillors of all parties support the aims, the campaign cannot be used for political advantage.

"We have support from all parties and from members of the public but this is about the basic principle of free speech and to avoid any doubt or confusion we have disowned this event."

The concert was due to be held at The Park pub in Batley on December 2 and Coun Auty said it had been a genuine attempt on his part to help.

"There was nothing political with me," he said. "All I did was ask Nick (Cass) to run some tickets off."

The latest Freedom of Speech event, a race night, takes place at the Airedale Heifer pub in Mirfield tomorrow (Sat) from 7.30pm. Admission is free and all are welcome.

The fund was set up by public demand after Dewsbury, Mirfield and Heckmondwike Labour MP Shahid Malik launched a £100,000 legal action against The Press and former Tory councillor Mr Scott.

Malik brought the libel claim over comments made by Mr Scott in a letter and subsequent article over what happened outside polling stations in Dewsbury at May's local elections.

Press managing director Martin Shaw said support for the campaign remained rock solid.

"The public remains right behind us and letters of support continue to arrive on a daily basis," he said.

"We are immensely grateful to those who have backed us so far and we want to assure everyone that this campaign is completely non-political and if politicians can't put politics aside for the important issue of freedom of speech, which affects us all, then we would rather they stood back and did not become involved."

Anyone wishing to make a donation can send a cheque, made payable to: Freedom of Speech Fund, to: Freedom of Speech Fund, The Press, Edward Latham House, 1 Oates Street, Dewsbury, WF13 1BB.

Alternatively, donations can be made at the Nat West Bank in Dewsbury to account number 36094285, sort code 52-30-29.