BNP in crisis

alexhilton Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 10:03:55 AM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

The BNP is today in deep crisis after the expulsion from the party of two of its national officers. According to a notice posted on Sunday 9 December on the revamped BNP website, Sadie Graham, the party's group development officer, and Kenny Smith, in charge of administration, have been "removed from their posts with immediate effect on the grounds of gross misconduct and now face disciplinary charges over alleged offences against the BNP Constitution and Code of Conduct".

(from Searchlight)




It appears that a number of other people, including several organisers and councillors, have also left the party. As of 11pm on Monday 10 December it seems that five of the party's 13 regional organisers have resigned, four BNP councillors have withdrawn the whip and are now Independent Nationalist councillors, and five Advisory Council members are backing the rebellion as are several other local branch organisers. There further resignations in the pipeline.

This crisis, which Searchlight has predicted for several months, is the result of an increasingly bitter feud between rival factions in the BNP. On one side are the younger and more able organisers and officers. They are led by Sadie Graham and Kenny Smith and include Leeds councillor Chris Beverley and the party's former website creator Steve Blake.

On the other side is the brat pack, made up of Mark Collett, head of publicity, party treasurer John Walker, his deputy David Hannam, head of security Martin Reynolds and Bradford councillor Paul Cromie. They have formed a laddish sect within the party but many others consider them not particularly able.

As tensions have grown between the two camps it is clear that Griffin has sided with the brats and now taken action against the former group, party apparatchiks, who run the party operation.

Increasingly frustrated at the leadership's refusal to act against the amateurish performance and general incompetence of Hannan, Walker and Collett, Smith and Graham set up a blog site to build a campaign against the three men, whom they dismiss as "these sleazy, lying, incompetent scumbags". Unfortunately for them, the BNP leadership obtained a recording of a telephone conversation in which Smith explained to Graham how she could help with the blog site.

But if Griffin thought the strength of his case against the pair would overshadow any fallout, he was wrong. Within hours of the sackings several other prominent BNP members had walked out in sympathy. Among them are Nina Brown, the Boxtowe organiser and a local parish councillor, Danny Lake, the leader of the Young BNP, and Ian Dawson. Every BNP official in Scotland has resigned.

Lake was actually sacked by Walker. When Lake enquired under whose authority Walker had sacked him the text message response was "Me. You stupid c*t. F*k off into oblivion."

In mid-October Searchlight produced a four-page supplement on the crisis in the party and circulated it to over 1,000 BNP members. The party leadership immediately dismissed our claims as fictitious, but events in the past 48 hours prove that we were correct. In fact, if we did make a mistake it was to underplay the seriousness of the dispute engulfing the BNP.


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BNP in crisis | 28 comments (28 topical)

Re: BNP in crisis (#1)

by swatantra on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 11:03:20 AM GMT

Good heavens, do these thugs actually have a code of conduct? Lets hope that this incident spells the demise of these facists.


Re: BNP in crisis (#3)

by Wilberforce on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 01:11:41 PM GMT

Unfortunately whilst the likes of the Daily Mail and the Express fan the flames of racial prejudice and hate in this country, there will always be plenty of room for the likes of the BNP and their ideology and values, whether they stand as BNP candidates or right-wing Tories with a veneer of respectability.
We must unite and expose and attack their agenda.


[ Parent ]

Re: BNP in crisis (#4)

by alexswanson on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 01:50:22 PM GMT

As a former Conservative Party member, and occasionally local council candidate, I must record my objection to this offensive and untrue attack on them.Whatever its other faults (and as I've mentioned before, I personally once had the distinction of a Labour Prime Minister endorsing one of my criticisms of them in the House of Commons, something I suspect most Labourhome commenters couldn't boast) the Conservative Party has never been racist and is not now, and hate campaigns based on lies will not affect that.

Disagree with them if you like, oppose them if you like, but do so on the basis of truth and reason. 


[ Parent ]

Re: BNP in crisis (#5)

by Wilberforce on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 02:15:53 PM GMT

My attack was made on right-wing Tories.... the kind that consider some of our fellow Britons 'picanninies' with 'water melon smiles'...


[ Parent ]

Re: BNP in crisis (#8)

by alexswanson on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 04:08:36 PM GMT

Oh, you mean Boris Johnson  . . . who has just put forward an EDM condemning both the BNP and their racism . . .

 I'm very conscious that I am a guest on this forum, so I think it best to stop here. I'll only make one further comment. I have been a Conservative Party activist, off and on, most of my life (around forty years), and I have only ever encountered racial prejudice when it was directed against me personally by supporters of another party.


[ Parent ]

Re: BNP in crisis (#10)

by TonyH on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 05:20:18 PM GMT

"I think there are racist undertones and attitudes. Racist attitudes do persist within the party . . . There's a lot of bigotry around."

The speaker?

Priti Patel - Conservative Candidate for Waltham speaking to the FT.

http://conservativehome.blogs.com/goldlist/2006/02/goldlist_candid_7.html

Alex, we're all guests on the forum - if you're happy to debate politely as you do - so should we. Please don't feel that you should have to hold back.

It is neither correct nor fair to brand all Tories as racist (Wilberforce didn't brand all Tories as such) but nor is it sensible to imply that the Conservative Party doesn't have a serious problem with a sizeable minority of its supporters' intolerance.


[ Parent ]

Re: BNP in crisis (#16)

by alexswanson on Wed Dec 12, 2007 at 10:04:18 AM GMT

Thank you for your tolerance!

I'm afraid, though, that I still can't accept even that there is a serious problem. Are there racists in an organisation with 300,000 members?  It would be impossible to prove that there aren't. Do people occasionally say stupid things? Well, John Prescott once socked a voter but nodody ever claimed that showed that the Labour Party thought thumping people was generally acceptable; nor does Harriet Harman sending her children to private school, meant that Labour has given up its commitment to comprehensive education. But the fact is that to express genuinely racist sentiments in the Conservative Party is to commit instant political suicide and has been for decades - ask the ghost of Enoch Powell. Equally, furthermore, I don't think that Labour people are in any position to criticise or claim moral superiority. Scottish Nationalism has had nasty anti-English overtones for decades (I know - I was at the receiving end of some of it during the 1970's) and the Labour Party hasn't exactly covered itself with glory fighting it, has it? As long as the idea that Conservative = English = bad helped get Labour MPs elected you were prepared to wink at it. It's only since the elections in May that Gordon Brown realised that the tiger is out of control and has started going on about Britishness.

 

I suspect that there's really nothing I can say that would convince Labour people. You want to believe it and that's really the end of it.


[ Parent ]

Re: BNP in crisis (#17)

by MT3 on Wed Dec 12, 2007 at 10:19:09 AM GMT

Harriet Harman did not send her children to private school, her kids all went to state schools. 

If you're going to go round slagging off Labour people, at least get your facts right.


[ Parent ]

Re: BNP in crisis (#19)

by TonyH on Wed Dec 12, 2007 at 12:31:24 PM GMT

Ok Alex, but you're at odds with Priti Patel. She says there's a lot of bigotry and racist attitudes persist.

I personally would consider that a serious problem. I'm no indulgent Tory basher either - I don't "want to believe" that they're all racist. If you're so inclined (and have little else to do) - check my other posts on this site and you'll see that I've even defended Tories. (This painful exercise for example Gordon....Ramsay? )

Given what we're discussing - would it be too much of an irony to use the "Some of my best friends are Tories" line? (It happens to be true!!)
 
I wouldn't deny that there's plenty of anti-English sentiment in Scotland but it's pretty incredible to suggest it's sourced by the Labour Party. Check out the threads to the comment section of the Telegraph and it won't be long before you realise that anti-Scottish sentiment among those right-leaning English voters is very much recipricated. Especially now, as the Prime Minister is Scottish.


[ Parent ]

Re: BNP in crisis (#24)

by jkitleft on Sat Dec 15, 2007 at 06:23:17 PM GMT

Well, I've read articles recently, where people have claimed that socialism is all about tackling sexism, racism and homophobia. It should be, but has not always been, and far be it from me to pass judgement (but I will to these particular people), many who marched in support of Enoch Powell, were unionised, socialist, dockers


[ Parent ]

Re: BNP in crisis (#2)

by alexswanson on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 01:04:14 PM GMT

"removed from their posts with immediate effect on the grounds of gross misconduct and now face disciplinary charges over alleged offences against the BNP Constitution and Code of Conduct"

 

As opposed to some parties where you don't get sacked even if you break the law. 


Re: BNP in crisis (#6)

by MT3 on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 03:38:45 PM GMT

Which parties are you talking about Alex?  Are there any parties in the UK where someone has been shown to have broken the law and not removed from their position? 


[ Parent ]

Re: BNP in crisis (#7)

by alexswanson on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 04:03:34 PM GMT

You're kidding, right?


[ Parent ]

Re: BNP in crisis (#9)

by MT3 on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 05:07:26 PM GMT

There is a joker on this thread, but it's not me. 

If you think there's someone who's broken the law, go for it mate - who's on your list?

I think you don't have a clue, that you're just making wild comments on the basis of some vague press reports.  And I don't think it's proper to go round make generalised accusations of law breaking.


[ Parent ]

Re: BNP in crisis (#11)

by TonyH on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 05:23:18 PM GMT

Not the best line of defense MT3...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7114327.stm


[ Parent ]

Re: BNP in crisis (#13)

by MT3 on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 06:36:13 PM GMT

But who is supposed to have broken the law?  Alex was suggesting there are specific people who should have already lost their jobs for breaking the law.  That's not the case - unless he has information to suggest otherwise.  I for one am not just going to sit around while Tories come on this website and say that Labour staff should lose their livlihoods. 


[ Parent ]

Re: BNP in crisis (#14)

by alexswanson on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 07:05:28 PM GMT

OK then:

 

In my opinion, the 1997 Belfast Agreement was a breach of international law since it did not comply with the UN's Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, in that, the early release of terrorist (both Nationalist and Unionist) was made for political reasons, in direct contravention of articles stating that this is forbidden.

 

As soon as I realised this, some years ago, as a citizen I immediately pointed it out to my local Labour MP, Dr Phyllis Starkey. She acknowledged my communication, but has never denied the suggestion, still less provided any reason why it is false.


[ Parent ]

Re: BNP in crisis (#15)

by laurencemarshall on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 08:20:01 PM GMT

Firstly, which authority chose to rebuke or presecute the UK for this supposed breach? Which court dictated that the UK was guilty of the breach? International Law is not really law at all, it is merely a collection of agreements and treaties, except in the circumstances where the treaty in question in placed into domestic law by a legislature. International "law" is not comparable to domestic law. There is no rule of law, no investigating authority and certainly no real judiciary. Really, international law should be seen as rules that would apply to an international society. ie not set in stone, but flexible according to circumstance. See Bull "The Anarchical Society" for what i'm getting at.

Secondly, which article of the convention says that? Also, I don't remember any international lawyer saying that at the time. Incidentally, how do you justify UN sponsored peace agreements where people who could easily be defined as terrorist take part and go into government? 

 


[ Parent ]

Re: BNP in crisis (#18)

by alexswanson on Wed Dec 12, 2007 at 10:45:47 AM GMT

"which authority chose to rebuke or presecute the UK for this supposed breach?"

I do. I'm a citizen with the right to protest against breaches of the law. Indeed, the fact that I have no effective means of pursuing the matter beyond simple protest is itself a breach of Article 2.3.1.

 

"International Law is not really law at all"

Come off it. The left-wing press routinely publishes protests against Israel and the US allegedly breaking international law. 

 

"which article of the convention says that?"

It's a Covenant, not a convention. Articles 2, 14 and 26 make clear that no discrimination is to be made in the enforcement of law. The early release of prisoners and the toleration of the retention of illegal weapons (contrast with the uncompromising treatment of pistol shooters after Dunblane) are both clear breaches of this.

 

And in fact, re-reading it, I've found another one. Article 25.2 guarantees the use of the secret ballot in elections. If I'm not much mistaken, the current government has held at least some local elections by postal vote only.

 

 


[ Parent ]

Re: BNP in crisis (#21)

by alexhilton on Wed Dec 12, 2007 at 03:56:27 PM GMT

Alex, firstly a postal vote is a secret ballot.

Secondly, whatever terrorists were let out of prison early, can you really oppose the overall success of the Northern Ireland peace process?

It's not perfect, but it's far better than I ever imagined it could get during the Thatcher and Major governments.


[ Parent ]

Re: BNP in crisis (#22)

by laurencemarshall on Wed Dec 12, 2007 at 05:52:59 PM GMT

You haven't understood anything I've been saying.

"I do. I'm a citizen with the right to protest against breaches of the law. Indeed, the fact that I have no effective means of pursuing the matter beyond simple protest is itself a breach of Article 2.3.1."

No you don't. The covenant hasn't been signed into British law. Nice try though. 

"Come off it. The left-wing press routinely publishes protests against Israel and the US allegedly breaking international law."

Yes they do, but the concept of international law I've demonstrated is perfectly consistent with the idea of an international society in regards to the left wing presses statements. Bombing civilians and imprisoning people without trial would be obviously a breach of international law.
Anyway, I'm not the left wing press, which makes your point irrelevant.

"It's a Covenant, not a convention."

No need to be pedantic about it.  

"Articles 2, 14 and 26 make clear that no discrimination is to be made in the enforcement of law. The early release of prisoners and the toleration of the retention of illegal weapons (contrast with the uncompromising treatment of pistol shooters after Dunblane) are both clear breaches of this."

Again, it's not signed into British law. Anyway, I don't believe the covenant applies in the circumstances of NI. The prisoner releases were under the pretence of peace and security, which is an entirely different area of international law (which again, isn't covered under British law).


[ Parent ]

Re: BNP in crisis (#12)

by Sensible Comrade on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 06:33:55 PM GMT

Anyone wanting a laugh, or any journo wanting an easy story on the BNP split, should look at the blog of the recently sacked leader of the Young BNP, Danny Lake.

http://ybnp.blogspot.com/

The highlights:

"The accusations made by Sadie, Kenny and Matt, against senior party officials – chiefly Nick Griffin - are that of refusing to discipline Mark Collett over numerous offences against the party constitution. These range from the abusive language used, and pro NAZI sentiments expressed in the channel 4 documentary “young, Nazi and proud”, outrageous abuse of position leading to much upset and anger caused to many loyal and hardworking members of this party as well as an ego problem that surpasses that of most normal people. Further more, it is alleged that Mark Collett and Dave Hannam attempted to coerce several underage girls into sleeping with them at last years conference, which I am informed ended in their being given a written warning and the girls being escorted out by security."

- Is this something the police should look into?

"It has been brought to my attention that the main aim in establishing an intelligence department was to spy on and heavily monitor the hard working members who make up the British National Party. What you haven’t been told is that the audio recording of Sadie, Kenny and Matt was gained through the immoral method of tapping Sadie’s home. Such Gestapo like tactics are the sort of thing that the current leadership have criticised our government for, yet they somehow believe they have the god given right to infringe upon their own members’ civil liberty’s. Well, ultimately I am saying loud and clear that this is a practice which I do not and will not endorse. If anything, such actions would and do disgrace a banana republic, let alone the BNP – a party whose leadership supposedly stand by the defence of our traditional freedoms."

- Is this something the police should look into?

"Further more, the use of the security team as a an enforcer of Nick Griffins will is disgusting. Yesterday morning roughly 5 to 10 members of the security team arrived at Sadie’s house, and upon realising she wasn’t home, conned her next door neighbour into letting them in (Sadie always leaves a set of keys with her neighbour when away). Upon entering Sadie’s house, they then SEIZED Sadie’s PERSONAL computer equipment for examination by the new intelligence section."
 
- Er, again, is this something the police should look into?


Re: BNP in crisis (#20)

by Radford Mann on Wed Dec 12, 2007 at 12:48:16 PM GMT

The report on teletext in the East Midlands said that Sadie Graham had been expelled for 'gross misconduct.' The behaviours which constituted such misconduct included criticising the leadership. I hope Gordon Brown doesn't get to hear about this, he might get ideas!


Re: BNP in crisis (#23)

by HOWLERMONKEY on Wed Dec 12, 2007 at 07:31:39 PM GMT

It,s a sort of "Stauffenberg" moment.


Re: BNP in crisis (#25)

by purelabour on Tue Dec 18, 2007 at 03:40:44 PM GMT

All this is more bad news for Labour as the Lib Dems will pick up these BNP votes.


Re: BNP in crisis (#26)

by swatantra on Wed Dec 19, 2007 at 09:58:13 AM GMT

i disagree. bnp voters would probably go for ukip or independents or nationalist parties rather than 'liberals'.


[ Parent ]

Re: BNP in crisis (#27)

by jkitleft on Wed Dec 19, 2007 at 06:52:33 PM GMT

BNP and Liberal Democrats are two peas in a pod.....I doubt it 


[ Parent ]

Re: BNP in crisis (#28)

by Wilberforce on Thu Dec 20, 2007 at 02:08:24 PM GMT

Yes... we should never forget the Lib Dem's 'Bangladeshi Shocker' in Millwall in 1993.


[ Parent ]

BNP in crisis | 28 comments (28 topical)