Police raid sparks fear in Brinsley

| Friday, 11 January 2008 Source: Eastwood Advertiser

A POLICE RAID for weapons at the Brinsley home of ex-BNP councillor Sadie Graham has created a climate of fear in the village, say worried residents.

Miss Graham's fiancee Matt Single was arrested on suspicion of possessing a Section 5 firearm, after the house on Church Lane was searched for firearms and ammunition on December 20.

Nottinghamshire police confirmed that a 36-year-old man has been bailed until April.

On a blog entitled Enough is Enough Nick, Mr Single also detailed a similar raid carried out on by police on a flat he owns in Essex on the same day.

Copies of the search warrants and images of his front door in Essex, which he claims police damaged with a battering ram, are also reproduced on the site.

One Advertiser reader, who does not wish to be named, said: "I discussed with other Brinsley people the idea of sending in a letter to the paper but we are nervous about using our own names for fear of being identified by the BNP."

Last December Mr Single and Miss Graham were controversially expelled from the BNP by leader Nick Griffen - amid allegations of illegal bugging and theft which are currently being investigated by Nottinghamshire police.

Labour MP Jon Cruddas has written to the head of the Metropolitan police, Sir Ian Blair, calling for an inquiry into what he claims are "criminal activities involving senior members" of the party.

The party has been engulfed by a bitter internal row with around 50 senior figures resigning the party whip.

Miss Graham, who is now standing as an Independent Nationalist, said: "I still represent and stand for the same policies I was elected for. I am still working hard for Brinsley."

On the blog, Mr Single described the raids as "an attack on every single member of the British National Party that regards the freedom to voice their opinions in the Party as sacrosanct."

Commenting on the dispute, a reader said: "The Graham camp take on this is that they were set up by the BNP leadership.

"The latter respond by characterising the Graham group as neo-nazis who consort with violent Blood and Honour thugs.

"I have not the slightest idea of where the truth lies but on their own rival estimates both camps are unhealthy and Brinsley and Broxtowe would be better without them."