Pensioners ‘appalled’ at BNP councillor

Sonia Gable | Tuesday, 13 February 2007 Source: Searchlight

A British National Party councillor came under investigation by Bradford Council legal officers over gifts of money to local pensioners. Paul Cromie insisted that the donations of £5 he sent in Christmas cards to around 210 pensioners in sheltered housing were a goodwill gesture from his councillor's allowance and not a gift from the BNP.

The recipients were confused about what to do with it. The two other councillors who represent Cromie's Queensbury ward, both Conservatives, said they had received many calls from concerned pensioners. Councillor Stuart Hanson said: "Everyone who rang has been absolutely appalled. "Of course, there is a percentage who have accepted it because £5 is £5."

Wynne Howes said she would give the money to charity. "I don't want it," said Mrs Howes, 90. "I do not think a lot of the BNP. I have been a Tory all my life and I certainly would not change to BNP."

Bradford South Community Housing Trust, which runs the sheltered housing schemes, sent out a letter suggesting to residents who did not want to accept the gift that they give it to the Lord Mayor of Bradford's Appeal, return it to Cromie or send it to a charity of their choice.

The complaints were passed to the Council's monitoring officer to investigate whether the donations breached regulations.

This was not the first time that Cromie's largesse has got him into trouble. After his election in May 2006 police investigated allegations that he bought votes by giving £100 to pay for a Christmas party at the Goodwin House sheltered housing complex.

Cromie, 53, a retired local businessman who plays in the BNP band Red Claire, denied that he had made that donation. Providing food, drink or entertainment before, during or after an election to influence a voter, is illegal. Red Claire, whose members also include Colin Auty, a BNP councillor in Dewsbury, and Frank Atack, who is involved in the party's Great White Records operation, was in trouble in December for trying to hijack a local newspaper's campaign for press freedom.