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BNP removes 'rape myth' candidate | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The BNP has withdrawn one of its London Assembly candidates after he reportedly wrote that it was a "myth" that rape was a serious crime. | The BNP has withdrawn one of its London Assembly candidates after he reportedly wrote that it was a "myth" that rape was a serious crime. |
Nicholas Eriksen was reportedly behind a blog which suggested women were more troubled by handbag theft than by rape. | Nicholas Eriksen was reportedly behind a blog which suggested women were more troubled by handbag theft than by rape. |
On Wednesday London Elects, which is overseeing the election, confirmed he had been withdrawn as a candidate. | On Wednesday London Elects, which is overseeing the election, confirmed he had been withdrawn as a candidate. |
Mr Eriksen was condemned in the Commons when Tory MP Charles Walker said he was not "fit to run for public office". | Mr Eriksen was condemned in the Commons when Tory MP Charles Walker said he was not "fit to run for public office". |
Deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman, standing in for Gordon Brown at prime minister's questions, replied: "I strongly support your comments and I thank you for bringing this matter to the House." | |
She added: "The best way to avoid a BNP member being elected to the London Assembly is to make sure that as many people as possible vote for all the other parties." | She added: "The best way to avoid a BNP member being elected to the London Assembly is to make sure that as many people as possible vote for all the other parties." |
'Not serious' | 'Not serious' |
Mr Eriksen had been the second of the BNP's candidates for the London-wide list, which allocates 11 seats on the basis of proportional representation. | |
London Elects said that, following his withdrawal, other BNP candidates had moved up on the party's list. | |
Robert Bailey is now the BNP's second choice, after Richard Barnbrook, who is also running for mayor. | Robert Bailey is now the BNP's second choice, after Richard Barnbrook, who is also running for mayor. |
The Evening Standard reported that Mr Eriksen was the author of a far-right blog on which he had written: "Rape is simply sex. Women enjoy sex, so rape cannot be such a terrible ordeal. | The Evening Standard reported that Mr Eriksen was the author of a far-right blog on which he had written: "Rape is simply sex. Women enjoy sex, so rape cannot be such a terrible ordeal. |
"To suggest that rape, when conducted without violence, is a serious crime is like suggesting that force-feeding a woman chocolate cake is a heinous offence. | "To suggest that rape, when conducted without violence, is a serious crime is like suggesting that force-feeding a woman chocolate cake is a heinous offence. |
"A woman would be more inconvenienced by having her handbag snatched." | "A woman would be more inconvenienced by having her handbag snatched." |
In a statement on the BNP website, the party said Mr Eriksen had "taken responsibility and unlike other politicians faced with similar circumstances has acted swiftly and honourably to resolve this matter". | |
Freedom and responsibility | |
It said: "It was felt that no matter how much Nick Eriksen's blog comments, written back in 2005, had been distorted and taken out of the context of a blog which reflected our tough stance on all sorts of crime, they could still be perceived as trivialising the issue in a manner that many women in particular could have found extremely offensive." | |
It added: "Whilst this party remains committed to free speech it should be understood that with that freedom comes responsibility." | |
There are 14 constituency seats on the London Assembly, elected through the first-past-the-post system. The London-wide list of 11 seats are divided according to the percentage of votes each party has won. | There are 14 constituency seats on the London Assembly, elected through the first-past-the-post system. The London-wide list of 11 seats are divided according to the percentage of votes each party has won. |
Any party that gets 5% of first choice votes is in with a chance of an assembly seat under the system. | Any party that gets 5% of first choice votes is in with a chance of an assembly seat under the system. |
At the last London elections the BNP got 4.8% of the vote and the party is confident it will get at least one seat this May. | At the last London elections the BNP got 4.8% of the vote and the party is confident it will get at least one seat this May. |
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