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Two charged over BNP members leak | Two charged over BNP members leak |
(10 minutes later) | |
Two people have been charged with breaching the Data Protection Act after a British National Party membership list was leaked on the internet. | Two people have been charged with breaching the Data Protection Act after a British National Party membership list was leaked on the internet. |
Dyfed-Powys Police said they were arrested in Brinsley, Nottinghamshire, as part of a joint investigation with the Information Commissioner's Office. | Dyfed-Powys Police said they were arrested in Brinsley, Nottinghamshire, as part of a joint investigation with the Information Commissioner's Office. |
The names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of some 10,000 party supporters were leaked in November. | |
The BNP said it was "a serious offence" that had caused "a lot of distress". | |
The list included the names of current and former servicemen, police officers, teachers and doctors. | The list included the names of current and former servicemen, police officers, teachers and doctors. |
The BNP said it dated from 2007 and many of those named were no longer members. | The BNP said it dated from 2007 and many of those named were no longer members. |
'Treachery' | 'Treachery' |
Party leader Nick Griffin lodged a complaint with Dyfed-Powys, his local force, on the grounds that publishing the list breached human rights and data protection laws, and could put at risk those who were named. | Party leader Nick Griffin lodged a complaint with Dyfed-Powys, his local force, on the grounds that publishing the list breached human rights and data protection laws, and could put at risk those who were named. |
We are glad the police and the CPS have taken this seriously BNP spokesman | |
He called the leak as "a disgraceful act of treachery" by former BNP members who were subsequently sacked. | He called the leak as "a disgraceful act of treachery" by former BNP members who were subsequently sacked. |
Earlier last year, the party obtained an injunction from the High Court in Manchester banning any publication of the list. | Earlier last year, the party obtained an injunction from the High Court in Manchester banning any publication of the list. |
A police spokesman said the two people, who were arrested on Thursday night, had been charged under Section 55 of the Data Protection Act 1998. | A police spokesman said the two people, who were arrested on Thursday night, had been charged under Section 55 of the Data Protection Act 1998. |
This makes it a criminal offence to "knowingly or recklessly obtain or disclose" personal information without consent. | This makes it a criminal offence to "knowingly or recklessly obtain or disclose" personal information without consent. |
A BNP spokesman said on Friday: "We are glad the police and the CPS have taken this seriously. | |
"It's a serious offence and has caused a lot of distress." | |
The pair will appear before magistrates in Nottingham on 1 September. |