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Pc faces quiz on alleged BNP link | Pc faces quiz on alleged BNP link |
(about 11 hours later) | |
A Merseyside police officer suspended after his name appeared on a list of British National Party (BNP) members is to be questioned by his bosses. | A Merseyside police officer suspended after his name appeared on a list of British National Party (BNP) members is to be questioned by his bosses. |
Pc Steve Bettley was on holiday when the document containing details of 12,000 people was published online. | Pc Steve Bettley was on holiday when the document containing details of 12,000 people was published online. |
The Merseyside force specifically bans all officers from membership of the BNP, Combat 18 and the National Front. | The Merseyside force specifically bans all officers from membership of the BNP, Combat 18 and the National Front. |
The Merseyside Black Police Association (MBPA) has appealed for calm during the internal investigation. | The Merseyside Black Police Association (MBPA) has appealed for calm during the internal investigation. |
A force spokesman said Mr Bettley had returned from holiday to co-operate with an internal inquiry, which will explore whether the officer does have any links with the party. | A force spokesman said Mr Bettley had returned from holiday to co-operate with an internal inquiry, which will explore whether the officer does have any links with the party. |
MBPA believes that due process must be allowed to take place and we appeal for calm Vinny Tomlinson,Merseyside Black Police Association | MBPA believes that due process must be allowed to take place and we appeal for calm Vinny Tomlinson,Merseyside Black Police Association |
The spokesman added: "Merseyside Police can confirm that the police officer is subject to an ongoing internal investigation into his alleged association with the BNP and has been suspended from duty. | |
"We would like to reiterate we will keep an open mind until the facts around the alleged investigation have been established." | "We would like to reiterate we will keep an open mind until the facts around the alleged investigation have been established." |
The officer once worked for a six-week period as a personal driver for the force's chief constable, Bernard Hogan Howe. | The officer once worked for a six-week period as a personal driver for the force's chief constable, Bernard Hogan Howe. |
Mr Bettley was included in a list of thousands of BNP supporters which was leaked on an internet blog. His name was part of the main entry of a family member. | Mr Bettley was included in a list of thousands of BNP supporters which was leaked on an internet blog. His name was part of the main entry of a family member. |
'Court action' | 'Court action' |
In a statement, MBPA chairman Vinny Tomlinson said: "MBPA believes that due process must be allowed to take place and we appeal for calm in that respect. | In a statement, MBPA chairman Vinny Tomlinson said: "MBPA believes that due process must be allowed to take place and we appeal for calm in that respect. |
"MBPA also supports Merseyside Police to ensure the safety and security of those who it feels may be at risk as a result of being associated with the BNP." | "MBPA also supports Merseyside Police to ensure the safety and security of those who it feels may be at risk as a result of being associated with the BNP." |
He said the association was available to help the force during the investigation. | He said the association was available to help the force during the investigation. |
Officers have been banned from joining or promoting the BNP to prevent harming race relations, according to the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo). | Officers have been banned from joining or promoting the BNP to prevent harming race relations, according to the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo). |
The list, which was removed from the original blog where it was posted but remains available on other websites, names a number of current and former servicemen, along with ex-policemen. | The list, which was removed from the original blog where it was posted but remains available on other websites, names a number of current and former servicemen, along with ex-policemen. |
BNP leader Nick Griffin pledged to take court action against those behind the leak. | BNP leader Nick Griffin pledged to take court action against those behind the leak. |
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