We have sacked Wallace, say BNP

Colin Drury | Saturday, 1 December 2007 Source: Halifax Evening Courier

THE British National Party no longer has a Calderdale councillor after its last member was sacked for refusing to toe the line, the party has said.

Geoffrey Wallace, who represents Illingworth and Mixenden, had the party whip removed for backing two planning applications to develop properties on green belt – a direct contravention of party policy, it said.

It means, just nine months after the death of Labour councillor Tom McElroy opened up the possibility the ward could become the first in the country to be entirely represented by BNP councillors, the party is now unrepresented.

Barry Collins, Labour member for the area, said: "It's splendid news. There should be no place for this party in Illing-worth or Mixenden."

Halifax MP Linda Riordan added: "It is good to see the BNP now have no councillors on Calderdale Council, which is exactly how it should be for a party that preaches hatred and division."

Councillor Wallace, the party's prospective Parliamentary candidate during the 2005 General Election, is said to have backed proposals to build on green land, including developing an agricultural property at Mason Green. The application was later turned down.

A BNP spokesman said: "We are a party of strong principles and if it means losing councillors who renege on party policies, that is what we will do."

After the death of Tom McElroy, the party came within a few hundred votes of winning the by-election and becoming the only party in Illingworth and Mixenden. In May's elections, group leader Richard Mulhall was ousted.

It is now likely Coun Wallace will serve as an independent. He declined to comment.