DISPUTE: Cllr Pat Pattison is no longer a member of the BNP after the party claimed they sacked him

Terry Canty | Wednesday, 19 March 2008 Source: North Wales Pioneer

A WAR of words has broken out between a councillor and the British National Party.

Llysfaen councillor Pat Pattison said he quit the far right party but the BNP say they sacked him.

The independent councillor who outraged electors when he switched to the BNP last September, said he washed his hands of the party after he was criticised for helping a local Asian familty.

He told friends he was dumping the BNP but believes they got wind of it and got in first and sacked him.

Cllr Pattison was on a two year probation with the party who told him "he did not meet their standards."

BNP spoksman, Simon Darby, said: "He is a maverick.

"He's been involved in one or two other political parties and always seems to complain. He simply isn't a team player.

"We took him on board and helped him out with a few things. He had a court dispute, which we advised him to settle, but he wouldn't."

Mr Pattison said he resigned because the party did not approve of him helping a local Asian family resolve a dispute with the council.

In a letter he accused the BNP of having several objectionable views on the issue of race.

The BNP claimed the letter was merely "sour grapes" from Mr Pattison about being let go.

Mr Darby said: "The man is a liability, and when you have someone like that carrying your name you have to act."

Searchlight adds:

Simon Darby is lying when he says the BNP advised Pattison to settle his dispute. Nick Griffin, the BNP leader, personally attended a hearing in a North Wales court room last year, with his entourage, to offer Pattison "moral support".

The hearing was the result of an application by Conwy Council for an order banning Pattison from council buildings. It followed allegations of “threatening, abusive or insulting” behaviour towards officers and members by the 55-year-old community councillor.

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