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Police and teachers on BNP list Police and teachers on BNP list
(about 2 hours later)
Serving and former police officers, teachers and soldiers are listed as members of the British National Party in a leaked document published online.Serving and former police officers, teachers and soldiers are listed as members of the British National Party in a leaked document published online.
The list, which dates from 2007, has the names, addresses, jobs and phone numbers of more than 10,000 people.The list, which dates from 2007, has the names, addresses, jobs and phone numbers of more than 10,000 people.
Since 2004, police officers have been banned from being members of the anti-immigration party.Since 2004, police officers have been banned from being members of the anti-immigration party.
The party's leader, Nick Griffin, said the leak was "a disgraceful act of treachery" by former members.The party's leader, Nick Griffin, said the leak was "a disgraceful act of treachery" by former members.
In a statement on the BNP website, Mr Griffin said he had lodged a complaint with Dyfed-Powys Police on the grounds that the publication breached human rights and data protection laws.In a statement on the BNP website, Mr Griffin said he had lodged a complaint with Dyfed-Powys Police on the grounds that the publication breached human rights and data protection laws.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
He told the BBC's Today programme the party would be using the Human Rights Act to try to protect the identities of its members, despite the BNP being against the European legislation.He told the BBC's Today programme the party would be using the Human Rights Act to try to protect the identities of its members, despite the BNP being against the European legislation.
He said he had "no problem at all" about the professions of members being in the public domain, which was "a matter of public interest".He said he had "no problem at all" about the professions of members being in the public domain, which was "a matter of public interest".
But publishing people's names and addresses was a "nasty piece of intimidation" which he blamed on the "Labour regime".But publishing people's names and addresses was a "nasty piece of intimidation" which he blamed on the "Labour regime".
However, he welcomed the new media interest in the party as a result of the leak because it challenged the idea that the average member of the BNP "was a skinhead oik".However, he welcomed the new media interest in the party as a result of the leak because it challenged the idea that the average member of the BNP "was a skinhead oik".
"So in terms of repositioning us as a party genuinely made up of ordinary British people from all walks of life that will actually do us good," he said."So in terms of repositioning us as a party genuinely made up of ordinary British people from all walks of life that will actually do us good," he said.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said "everybody has a right to protection under data protection laws" but it was a matter for Dyfed-Powys Police as to whether the matter should be taken further.Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said "everybody has a right to protection under data protection laws" but it was a matter for Dyfed-Powys Police as to whether the matter should be taken further.
And she told the BBC News Channel she did not mind people knowing she was a member of the Labour Party, adding: "I wonder why it is that BNP members are rather more ashamed of their membership."And she told the BBC News Channel she did not mind people knowing she was a member of the Labour Party, adding: "I wonder why it is that BNP members are rather more ashamed of their membership."
'Discretion required''Discretion required'
Occupations ascribed to the names on the list include teachers, a doctor, nurse, vicar and members of the armed forces.Occupations ascribed to the names on the list include teachers, a doctor, nurse, vicar and members of the armed forces.
While there is no ban on many of those professions joining the BNP, its policies are seen by many as incompatible with frontline public service.While there is no ban on many of those professions joining the BNP, its policies are seen by many as incompatible with frontline public service.
Police officers, on the other hand, are formally banned from joining, a policy which is recognised in the list.Police officers, on the other hand, are formally banned from joining, a policy which is recognised in the list.
Alongside the name of a serving officer, the document states that there is "Discretion required re. employment concerns".Alongside the name of a serving officer, the document states that there is "Discretion required re. employment concerns".
Such membership would be incompatible with our duty to promote equality Peter FahyAssociation of Chief Police OfficersSuch membership would be incompatible with our duty to promote equality Peter FahyAssociation of Chief Police Officers
Peter Fahy, chief constable of Greater Manchester Police and spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers, said: "Membership or promotion of the BNP by any member of the police service, whether police officer or police staff, is prohibited.Peter Fahy, chief constable of Greater Manchester Police and spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers, said: "Membership or promotion of the BNP by any member of the police service, whether police officer or police staff, is prohibited.
"This is because such membership would be incompatible with our duty to promote equality under the Race Relations Amendment Act and would damage the confidence of minority communities.""This is because such membership would be incompatible with our duty to promote equality under the Race Relations Amendment Act and would damage the confidence of minority communities."
The BNP said the publication could lead to identity theft and endanger children named in the list.The BNP said the publication could lead to identity theft and endanger children named in the list.
Some as young as 14 are included where their families have party memberships.Some as young as 14 are included where their families have party memberships.
The publication prompted fear among BNP members using internet chatrooms.The publication prompted fear among BNP members using internet chatrooms.
One person wrote: "I'm also on the list, what is going on? I could lose my job."One person wrote: "I'm also on the list, what is going on? I could lose my job."
Another said: "God help anyone who is in the Army, the prison service, healthcare, a police officer or a teacher."Another said: "God help anyone who is in the Army, the prison service, healthcare, a police officer or a teacher."
Earlier this year, the BNP obtained an injunction at the High Court in Manchester banning any publication of the list.Earlier this year, the BNP obtained an injunction at the High Court in Manchester banning any publication of the list.
ElectionsElections
Mr Griffin earlier said the list was "essentially genuine", but a number of names of people who were not or are not party members had been added.Mr Griffin earlier said the list was "essentially genuine", but a number of names of people who were not or are not party members had been added.
He claimed the leak was linked to next year's elections to the European Parliament and that those responsible were former members who had subsequently been sacked.He claimed the leak was linked to next year's elections to the European Parliament and that those responsible were former members who had subsequently been sacked.
"Just six months before the proportional representation European Parliamentary elections give us the chance for a gigantic leap into the mainstream big-time, we get another leak intended to frighten the faint-hearted," he said."Just six months before the proportional representation European Parliamentary elections give us the chance for a gigantic leap into the mainstream big-time, we get another leak intended to frighten the faint-hearted," he said.
The anti-immigration party has won council seats in recent years, and took a London Assembly seat in May.The anti-immigration party has won council seats in recent years, and took a London Assembly seat in May.
Labour MPs are pushing for trade unions to be given the right to expel members who belong to the BNP without penalty.
Labour MPs are pushing for trade unions to be given the right to expel members who belong to the BNP without penalty.
Are you a member of the BNP party? Were your details published online? Contact us using the form below. Your comments and contact details will not be published. Are you a member of the BNP party? Were your details published online? Contact us using the form below. Your contact details will not be published.
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