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'Extremists hijack' military name 'Extremists hijack' military name
(about 6 hours later)
The reputation of the armed forces is being tarnished by right-wing political "extremists", a group of former military leaders have warned. The reputation of the armed forces is being tarnished by right-wing political "extremists", a group of former military leaders has warned.
Two former heads of the Army are among those to put their names to a letter accusing "those who seek to hijack the good name of Britain's military".Two former heads of the Army are among those to put their names to a letter accusing "those who seek to hijack the good name of Britain's military".
It does not name the BNP but has been issued as part of a new campaign. It does not name the BNP but was issued as part of a campaign against them.
The campaign accuses the BNP of adopting military heritage for its own purposes. The party has yet to respond. The BNP accused the signatories of the letter of remaining silent about the scandal over MPs' expenses.
The publication of the letter comes as the BBC is rejecting claims it could face legal action over BNP leader Nick Griffin's appearance on Question Time later this week.
The commander of the Desert Rats in the first Gulf War, Major-General Sir Patrick Cordingley, and former Chief of Defence Staff Lord Guthrie are the other signatories on the letter, alongside the former Army chiefs, generals Sir Mike Jackson and Sir Richard Dannatt.The commander of the Desert Rats in the first Gulf War, Major-General Sir Patrick Cordingley, and former Chief of Defence Staff Lord Guthrie are the other signatories on the letter, alongside the former Army chiefs, generals Sir Mike Jackson and Sir Richard Dannatt.
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They write: "We call on all those who seek to hijack the good name of Britain's military for their own advantage to cease and desist.They write: "We call on all those who seek to hijack the good name of Britain's military for their own advantage to cease and desist.
"The values of these extremists - many of whom are essentially racist - are fundamentally at odds with the values of the modern British military, such as tolerance and fairness.""The values of these extremists - many of whom are essentially racist - are fundamentally at odds with the values of the modern British military, such as tolerance and fairness."
'Unlawful body' 'Tolerance and fairness'
General Jackson is among those angered by the BNP's use of military symbols, including a picture of a Spitfire alongside the words "Battle for Britain" which featured in the party's recent European election campaign.General Jackson is among those angered by the BNP's use of military symbols, including a picture of a Spitfire alongside the words "Battle for Britain" which featured in the party's recent European election campaign.
He told the Times: "The BNP is claiming that it has a better relationship with the armed forces than the other political parties.He told the Times: "The BNP is claiming that it has a better relationship with the armed forces than the other political parties.
"How dare they use the image of the Army, in particular, to promote their policies. These people are beyond the pale.""How dare they use the image of the Army, in particular, to promote their policies. These people are beyond the pale."
The letter has been published by a campaign called Stolen Valour, which is being organised by the monitoring group Nothing British. But speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he stressed that he and the other former generals were not targeting any particular party.
"This is in no sense a party political issue. It is about the reputation and good name of Britain's armed forces."
He said "tolerance and fairness" were important to the armed forces, which he said welcomed recruits from all backgrounds.
'Unlawful body'
Quizzed about race relations in the ranks, he admitted "there has been from time to time some friction" but said he hoped it was "absolutely in the past".
And asked if he thought there was support for the BNP among ordinary soldiers, he said: "I sincerely hope not."
The letter has been published as part of new anti-BNP campaign group Nothing British, which is headed up by ex-Ministry of Sound managing director James Bethell and Conservativehome editor Tim Montgomerie.
In the past Mr Griffin has said he is campaigning for British veterans, regardless of their ethnic origin.In the past Mr Griffin has said he is campaigning for British veterans, regardless of their ethnic origin.
Giving its reaction to the generals' criticism, a BNP spokesman said: "It is rather strange that they said nothing when MPs were embezzling millions of pounds on furnishing their homes whilst our boys were being blown to smithereens because of a lack of funding for equipment."
On Monday, BBC director general Mark Thompson said a recent court ruling on the BNP's membership policy did not "legally inhibit" the corporation from allowing Mr Griffin on Question Time on Thursday.On Monday, BBC director general Mark Thompson said a recent court ruling on the BNP's membership policy did not "legally inhibit" the corporation from allowing Mr Griffin on Question Time on Thursday.
Welsh Secretary Peter Hain had written to the BBC arguing the BNP was "an unlawful body".Welsh Secretary Peter Hain had written to the BBC arguing the BNP was "an unlawful body".
As well as Justice Secretary Jack Straw, the other Question Time panellists are expected to include Conservative peer Baroness Warsi, Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne and playwright and critic Bonnie Greer.As well as Justice Secretary Jack Straw, the other Question Time panellists are expected to include Conservative peer Baroness Warsi, Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne and playwright and critic Bonnie Greer.