BNP man’s £5 gifts broke standards watchdog rules

Michael Peel | Thursday, 12 July 2007 Source: Halifax Evening Courier

A BNP councillor who gave away £5 notes in Christmas cards has been hauled over the coals by The Standards Board for England.

Paul Cromie, who represents Queensbury, made a £100 donation to a sheltered housing complex and also sent cash to 210 residents.

Councillor Cromie, a member of Bradford Council, signed the cards using his official title of councillor and enclosed his business card and British National Party logo.

The standards board ruled that his actions could be considered "an inducement" to vote for him or his party but in the circumstances, no action needs to be taken.

"An objective member of the public, with knowledge of the relevant facts, could well view Coun Cromie's donation as a reward for turning away the Conservative councillor or an inducement to vote for the BNP in the subsequent elections," said a board officer who reviewed the case.

"Councillor Cromie's action brought his office into disrepute, but he has publicly stated that he would not have made the donations had he been advised not to and under these circumstances no further action should be taken."

The incident happened only a few months before Coun Cromie's wife, Lynda, was due to stand for election.

She was elected in May this year with a majority of 155 votes over Conservative Stuart Hanson.

"As the gifts were directly linked to the name and to the party, they could have also been considered as an inducement to vote for Councillor Cromie's wife," according to the standards board.

"The ethical standards officer considered it inappropriate for council members to link their continuing position as councillor to a resident's direct financial gain.

"The implication that any member might have been elected because of gifts to voters erodes confidence not just in that member but in local democracy."

In response to the board's findings, Coun Cromie said he notified the council he would be making donations from his council allowance, having given money to Queensbury charities for 30 years.

He promised in future to abide by the council's code for making gifts which is being revised.