Gun search at home of former BNP councillor

| Thursday, 10 January 2008 Source: Nottingham Evening Post

Police arrested a man after searching for a gun at the home of a former BNP councillor.

No weapon was found at Sadie Graham's property in Church Lane, Brinsley, but a police spokesman said that an item suspected to be a CS gas cannister was recovered.

However Coun Graham says the item was StoppaRed, a legal but powerful self defence substance used to spray in the face of attackers.

Coun Graham, now an independent nationalist at Broxtowe Borough Council, said: "The item that was removed was only on suspicion of CS spray.

"My partner does not believe it to be that. He believes it to be something perfectly legal.

"The reason why he has that is because he was the training officer for BNP security.

"I am not interested in firearms, I am a councillor. I am serving on my job as a councillor."

The search was made on December 20. Matt Single, 36, was arrested and later bailed.

A spokesman for Notts Police said: "A 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a section five firearm.

"A suspected CS gas canister was recovered and he has been bailed till April pending further enquiries."

Coun Graham suspects people called the police giving false reports of a firearm at her house in an attempt to discredit her and her partner.

She was dropped from the BNP on December 9 after being allegedly involved in the writing of an internet blog which the party claims had been aimed to "attack and smear fellow party officials".

Notts Police are also investigating an alleged theft of a computer from her home.

It was allegedly taken by the BNP after she was dismissed from her former party.

A BNP spokesman said the computer was party property and officials lawfully were let in.