Soldiers, police officers, teachers and doctors were in fear for their jobs
last night after the entire membership list of the far-Right British
National Party was posted on the internet.
More than 12,000 names, home addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail contact
details were included in a major breach of data protection. The names and
ages of schoolchildren with family memberships were disclosed. Some
supporters were listed with comments such as “discretion required —
employment concerns”. A number had their hobbies recorded.
The BNP said that its members could be vulnerable to violent attack as a
result. Nick Griffin, the party leader, issued a statement saying that the
list was “essentially genuine”. He said that it was an old membership list
that had been “slightly modified”.
Speculation was growing about whether the leak had come from a member angry
about internal feuding or from an anti-racist infiltrator.
Simon Darby, the party’s spokesman, said that a disgruntled former member was
the most likely source. The BNP won a High Court injunction against a former
member in April preventing the material being used.
Mr Darby said: “If we find out the name of the person who published this list,
it will turn out to be one of the most foolish things they have done in
their life. I wouldn’t want to have done that — I wouldn’t be sleeping very
well tonight. We are worried because children’s names are on the list. It is
not information that should be in the public domain. We are always receiving
death threats. No true nationalist would have put the lives and livelihoods
of fellow nationalists at risk.”
A leading lawyer said that members would not be able to sue either the party
or the source of the leak. Hugh Tomlinson, QC, said that even though it was
a clear breach of data protection law the legal remedies were sparse. If the
information was taken by a disgruntled former member, then the party was not
to blame. The person who leaked the list could in theory face criminal
proceedings that could lead to a fine but not jail, he added.
Keiron Le-mar, a former soldier who served in Iraq with the Somerset &
Cornwall Light Infantry, was appalled to discover that even his Service
number was included in the entry. He told The Times that he joined the party
while a soldier, although he was aware that the British Army “frowned upon”
BNP membership. “I’m obviously disappointed,” he said. “I work
for an energy company. I’m worried about that because in my job I go round
people’s houses. I’m involved in all sorts of walks of life. I don’t know
how they would look on that. It could make the company look bad.”
He added: “I joined the BNP because I feel they are the people that stand up
for Britain as a country. I’m not for the racist views. To be honest, all
I’ve ever got was letters asking for money.”
The list describes the occupations of some members that are deemed to be
sensitive or of use to the BNP, such as NHS doctor, teacher, journalist,
vicar, company director, scientist, engineer or construction manager. Others
are listed as public speakers. The list appears to include several former
police officers. Peter Fahy, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police,
said: “Membership or promotion of the BNP by any member of the Police
Service is prohibited.”
There is no ban on teachers, doctors and nurses joining the BNP, but its
racist reputation is seen as incompatible with frontline public service.
Mr Griffin suggested that the timing was deliberate, coming before the
European Parliament elections.
Mr Darby said that the BNP had contacted the owner of the website, which had
been hosting the list since Sunday, demanding that it take the personal
information down, although he conceded: “Once it’s out, it’s out.”
The BNP has been accused of racism because of its whites-only membership
policy. The party emerged after a feud inside the National Front and won
electoral success by ditching its neo-Nazi image in favour of the
nationalist anti-immigration rhetoric coined by the likes of Jean-Marie Le
Pen in France. It knocked Labour into fifth place in the Henley by-election,
won a seat on the London Assembly and has come second in local elections in
Barking & Dagenham, Stoke-on-Trent and Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.
Gerry Gable, publisher of the anti-fascist magazine Searchlight, believes that
the list is fresher than the one subject to the court injunction. A previous
security breach happened two years ago when an undercover journalist exposed
supporters including the principal ballerina Simone Clarke.
dkennedy@thetimes.co.uk
As usual the left paint it with a very broad brush. The BNP has an enviromental policy an energy policy a fiscal policy, a position of armed neutrality, oh yes and they think GB is overcrowded and would like to prevent further concreting over of this pleasent land. Not racism, common sense!
Paul , Dorchester, England
It must be legal to have a white membership only if you can have a black police officers association. Or maybe that's illegal
but nobody bothers because it's the police.
David Glen, Glasgow, Scotland
this is a democracy. membership of any political party is and should be excepted by all .communist fascist socialsit conservative or monster raving loony party all are legal in this our democracy and long may it stay that way.
fred, york,
your hitler like obsession to seek racial purity would once again divide you, and what if its you who isnt white enough to live in britain.. I am not asking for world peace, merely for tolerance of others. For the record, im 16 and mixed race, 1/2 black 1/2 white. you "BNPers" must really hate me;)
Jaz Hamilton, Bradford,
Sites like 'Redwatch' have gone under the radar far too long. The BNP have been posting 'lefties' names, pictures and addresses online ever since they managed to learn how to type.
SSR Leeds, Leeds,
I'm intrigued to know precisely what racism is
There is a Black Police Association, Asian Games are held in Southampton & nobody bats an eyelid. Mention something promoting the rights of UK whites and there's public outcry
Are there pro-white organisations in predominantly black countries?
Eleanor, Hants, UK
I myslef have sympathy for the people named, but not to use this list would be wrong. The BNP pose a real threat. With hindsight should the people of the Weimar Republc not have outlawed the National Socialist German Workers Party?
"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it"
Andrew Tomlins, Stoke-on-Trent,
sooo funny.
i hope the racist bigots get sacked and isolated for their backward views. interesting that alot of servicemen are on the list. hmm.
zahira, leicester,
People who say the BNP are racist are missing the point. The BNP have many policies but only one is ever mentioned. They were the first to highlight the coming problem of peak oil criis four years ago, but who listened, not the name callers.
Pat, Epping, UK
Members of the armed forces, including a "chelsea pensioner" faught to free the world of of tyranny and fascists, yet are quite happy to join a party that is the complete opposite of what they stand for - shame, action should be taken
Charles Monks, redditch, united kingdom
How do you know that 'BNP Members have leaked a list'?
Jim Tomlinson, sol, wm
BNP members shouldn't ever be allowed to be at a point of authority eg police teachers they don't agree with the multicultural society that Britain is and most of us are proud of. BNP stands up for not Britain mr lumley but portray the uneducated views of a racist naming and shaming is a good thing!
l, bedford,
Ed from Devon has got it all wrong! How would he like it if his name was published as being a member of the Tories - for which I'm sure he'd be ashamed.
J T, sol, wm
Well, it's hard to have much empathy for them since their purpose is to create fear among minorities and immigrants. They are fear-mongerers and gain power through creating fear in others...so a little fear on their side seems like a nice healthy dose of karma.
RuthAlice Anderson, Portland, OR, usa
"...There's no room for facism in a decent society."
What is a decent society? Im sure my decent society is a lot different from yours. I love the way wind washes way all the masks.
Nigel, London, England
bob, Louth -
I am much more worried about the secret society known as Common Purpose, which has members embedded throughout local and national government; that's far more insidious. BNP members are, by and large, just looking for a way of speaking up for Britain, as neither Labour nor Tories do
M Lumley, Leeds,
Boo hoo? If they're so ashamed of being a member of such a ridiculous organisation, perhaps they shouldn't have joined in the first place? No sympathy here at all.
Ed, Devon, UK
Ha ha, excellent. Well done.
Mickey, London,
Whether you like them or not the BNP are a legitimate political party. It is dangerous day when we start clipping the ends of the Political spectrum because we don't agree with them. The ends keep the middle balanced and focused and just what do you really end up with if you do? Voltaire was right.
Andy, Liverpool, UK
It seems absurd that a police officer can't become a member of what is, apparently, a legal political organisation.
Surely if it's legal then the police can join? I mean, one can vote for BNP. Why can't I serve the public at the same time?
Totalitarianism seems in place as it is, without BNP help.
Jack, Texas, USA
"Is it even legal to have a white only membership policy?
Darren Canning, edinburgh, UK"
I would have thought they were allowed to dictate their own membership terms. However, that raises a good question; If it's not legal, then why would a National Black Police Association be allowed to exist?
Sol, Kent, England
Why should one be ashamed to be a member of a political which is not afraid to stand up for our country against those Europeans whom we twice liberated or defeated during the last century?
John Girling, Sherborne, Dorset
i wouldn't mind being on a leaked list that stated i wasn't a member of the bnp...
chris french, london, United Kingdom
My father fought in both world wars and was very proud to have done so. He did it, he said, so that British people did not have to live in fear for their political views or opinions.
Name Withheld, King's Lynn, England
I'm a member and everyone has know for ages - because I'm an ACTIVE member!
It's not a secret society, and if you're fearful of speaking from the heart and being honest, then perhaps the BNP isn't the best Party for you.
See you at the local and Euro elections on 1st June.
Phil, Market Drayton, England
Look on the bright side a lot more Xmas cards this year. After years of intimidating other people especially in the 70's when they used to sell thier rag down Brick Lane market they have got away with a lot of violence. Now the shoe is on the other foot. I hope employers root through the list.
anton , london,
they should'nt be scared, they should stand tall! I wish we had more patriotic people in this country, the current government are doing their upmost to sell us down the river!
steve, redditch, worcs
with the advent of torrents and limewire these things will stay on the internet forever.
mark smith, london, uk
I am on the list, being a member of a legitimate political party, Tonight about 11.10pm i had a call from a 'concerned citizen' asking did i know my details had been posted on the net & they hoped i would be able to sleep well in my bed tonight. How nice intimidating a woman alone....no chance!
Michele, Coventry, west mids
I can't help thinking that it serves them right.
I know that ones political afilliations are ones own business, If they are that way inclined but are, at the same time scared about supporting such a political party, why did they become members? Not a very brave lot.
Will, Nøstved, Denmark
1. I'm an American. An English, German, Irish, Dutch, Mohawk, American. I'm Proud to be an American. But before all that I'm a Christian Follower of Jesus Christ and an American 2nd. People of NW Europe are under attack. Do no feel sorry for being of NW European origin or British origin embrace it
Paul Bahre, Granby, CT, USA
This is awful. Although I just had to look to check how many committed racists actually live in my area, and even though the few BNP members I have conversed with couldn't argue their way out of a (brown) paper bag, to this Black man, there must be a right to be ill-informed and racist in private.
Olly, London, UK
What are children doing on this list? They are not eligible to vote. Unless indoctrination is a prime example of facism (thinking about it, it is!). Hitler youth anyone?
It would be interesting to know if the other parties list children in their memberships?
kim, london,
To those asking why Police Officers can't join the BNP, it's because Police Officers are banned from joining *any* political party. The Black Police Organisation is *not* a political party, it is a support and advisory group working *within* the Police.
Neil Barber, Leeds,
I downloaded the list and looked at it and I wish I hadn't. The parents of my daughter's school friend are on it and it will be hard to treat them the same way now.
Durgesha, Bradford, UK
All partys should have the right to have their details protected without having this kind of theft plastered on the net. If the law now turns a blind eye lets have the full list addresses etc of those bankers with their multi million pound bonuses made known to all and be similarly treated.
mrs Samson, Bedford, UK
Chris from leeds. The last time I checked the Black Police Association and Asian Police Association were not trying to get elected into public office to serve whole communities including people who don't meet the 'white policy'. So yes of course there is a difference.
Simon, London,
It's ironic that the police forbid membership of the BNP due to its racist, whites only policies -yet they happily support membership of their own Black Police Association (which whites are forbidden from joining according to association rules).
It's only white racism that's bad, eh?
Dave, London,
NO Fear.
…Right wingers use their right brain more which means they have more artistic vision, creative thinking, imagination, intuition and more importantly a greater ‘understanding of the bigger picture’.
Then that must be me! Being an Artist I enjoy Church music, Nature, Permaculture, Orga
A C Trebilcock, Manchester, UK
You don't have to be a BNP supporter to see that dirty tricks are at work here. If the BNP is a legal party, it's members are doing nothing wrong and if some of them lose their jobs because of their identity being discovered then the thought police have won yet again.
No wonder they are secretive!
C Merit, plymouth, England
The only freedom we have in Britain exists if you shut up, pay your taxes(unless you can affford not to), and don't challenge the status quo. The current status quo is institutionalised liberalism and woe betide you if yoou dare challenge it. We are not allowed to call things by their name anymore.
Dave, Doncaster,
I thought the pensioner living near me was a total idiot for donating money each month to the labour party - he could ill afford it. I knew this because a letter was sent to my home in error thanking him for the subscription - Everyone has their own view on politics and who you support is private.
Dave, Stafford, UK
Hahhahah this is brilliant! Kenneth, I would like to join you in welcoming NuLabour to Britain! By any chance would your name be on the list?
Morrison, Rome, Italy
Labour, Fascist? What are these people smoking. The word your looking for is authoritarian or tottalitarian, and even that is a matter of opinion. As to what has happened, it is unfortunate that people may be treated unfairly for their political views but no sympathy. The paradox of relativism?
L.Matheson, Perth, Western Australia
If a bank cashier releases details of a person's account it is breach of data and fraud however, judging by the view of Hugh Tomlinson, QC in this instant breach of data is a grey area.
M Bowen, Ammanford, South Wales
my name appears on the list i am now in fear why?black associations of all manor are forever at the forefront of all community discussions as are muslim and many other groups the only white voice is racist you say maybe we should stop and think about our heritage and history
dave, croydon,
So how many people should we allow into Britain? I guess all those who are against the BNP have children at majority non-English speaking schools, never complain of congested roads, large housing developments, immigrants in funded >£1million houses, pressured public leisure spaces, winterval, etc.
i.e., Norwich, England
I feel for the professionals who have may have signed up in a moment of misguided youth, but perhaps this will serve as a warning to others? I wouldn't want a teacher who was a BNP member to teach my children.
Amy, Richmond, England
"Thousands of BNP members live in fear..."
Looks like they're getting a taste of their own medicine, then.
Richard, Cambridge, UK
As Voltaire once said "I might not agree with what you say but I'd die to defend your right to say it", it's a real disgrace for Britain if honest citizens have to fear reprisal for being members of a legitimate political party.
Luca, turin, italy
To those wondering why the Black Police Association is not in 'fear of their jobs, one very important point has to be made. The BPA do not go around demanding the white population leave the country, they do not go around stirring up racial hatred, they do not go around using vile methods to do this.
kim, london,
Brian Clacey, The NBPA is not a political party. It does not have the potential of being in charge of this country. It annoys me when BNP supporters use this as an example of "reverse racism", the NBPA is a support group to support minorities, the BNP, however they disguise it, are purely racist
Ciara , Hampshire, UK
Large scale immigration has been used to keep wages and inflation down (which has affected the working poor the most). This reults in low interest rates and a pressure on housing causing inflated prices. Can't afford a house? Affected by the credit crunch? Just lost your job? Still support it?
i.e., Norwich, England
One of the tactics of an extremist group is to make their members identifiable.
Do not the principles of revolution state that it is better to create more opression and provoke a backlash?
Seems like a 'cunning plan' by thje BNP official who read 'Revolution for Dummies' to me.
J D S, Cardiff, UK
Left/right; these tags mean nothing. Rule of law, democracy, freedom of expression and association are all vital. So too are tolerance, justice and equal rights for all. The problem with all extremists (eg BNP) is their unwillingness to put these principles above selfish, sectarian interests.
John, Bridport,
The far left and politicaly correct bearaucrats are quick to brand this organisation as Nazi.
I DO NOT SUPPORT THE BNP, however the moment we persecute their members, ruin their livelyhoods and careers is the moment Democracy fails and we become nazis our selves.
DID WE LEARN ANYTHING FROM 1933?
Marc Krajewski, Durham, United Kingdom
If they're all such decent people why do they want to hide? Because they know that what they support is wrong I guess. I hope they are all worried, their policies cause worry and they try to spread fear and hate. They have a right to support BNP, we have a right to know they do.
Doug Bates, St. Albans,
"Land of hope and glory,Mother of the free".
We have Muslim fanatics in London shouting Kill British Soldiers and the Police stand idling,yet a legal British Political party are demonised,welcome to NuLabours communist Britain.
Kenneth O'Boyle, Perth, UK
We allow terrorists and hi-jackers sanctuary in the UK. We allow known muslim terror organisations to spread their poison and do nothing. We have many terrorist sympathisers employed in delicate positions across the UK all thanks to the left wing, and you are worried about a few nationalist idiots.
David Smith, SDtourbridge, UK
Nobody knows the reason these people joined the BNP. It’s nothing more than assumption that it is because those people listed are racists or fascists. You cannot simply label someone as a racist because they are a member of a political party. To do so is a very dangerous thing.
Dave, Staffs,
Macarthyism is alive and well.
Mike, Peterborough, UK.
all extremism is dangerous - far right or far left - as it seeks to demonise, vilify and even in some cases (think Nazi Germany and Pol Pot's Cambodia) exterminate people/social groups that do not 'fit' into their particular ideal. Don't support or subscribe to the ingorance...
Patricia, Bristol, England
BNP members fear losing ther jobs and being 'outed' in public, so these members know that the views held by the group is extreme and in some cases unlawful which begs the question, why join it in the first place?
How can Police, docters and teachers hold post of trust if their views are extreme?
Dee Breen, London, UK
If Sinn Fein can have Councillors in local Government who have actually murdered people, why should persons who are members of a LAWFUL political party be subject to persecution. Typical new Labour Fascism. How is this democracy and NO,
I am not a BNP member?
Brian, Carshalton, UK
why do the police etc have a problem with someone being a member of the B.N.P.i ask?are they a outlawed political party?
They just seem to me a misguided party who have had enough of the way the previous lab/cons have done things.
its a list of the outlawed muslim parties that i would like to see.
me, yorkshire, Great Britain
Perhaps this leak will make BNP member think ... do I really want to be thought the same as the many active and notably racist members. This is racism is shown in their actions and their whites-only membership ... they should be ashamed. Such a Party should be banned on grounds of discrimination!
Louis, Durham,
We already live in a facist state. So all you hand-wringing liberals should be happy with what you have achieved.
Free speech only as long as it agrees with yours. Marxist filth.
Be free-vote BNP!!
SwordofAlbion, London, England
so black power is cool, muslims get protected while preaching hate outside finsbury park mosque, but whites get vilified for being nationalist. who's the fascist ? ive never voted for the bnp but i will now!
james monroe, london, england
I am surprised that The Times, has taken Mr Gerry Gable seriously, with his record for being very mean with the truth.
This is a case for the police to look into, and unbiased at that.
Mr Gable would obviously go ballistic, if his mailing list for Searchlight, went missing.
Richard Partridge, Hereford, UK
Vote BNP and stop this march into an EU dictatorship.
Already the EU have denied 500 million people the right to vote on the EU treaty and have forced Ireland to vote again. .
Mr D, Oxon, Oxonshire
Excellent news. Now these BNP members might know how it feels to be discriminated against and to live in fear of being the victims of hate crime. I lived near an estate where they peddled their literature. People and children of colour were spat at in the street and abused. I have no sympathy
Jimmimac, Birmingham,
The meaning of freedom/democracy for the BNP? "make it [RACIAL PURITY] a saleable message..it's not white supremacy or racial civil war or anything like that, which is what we know in fact is going on... [INSTEAD USE] ..Four apple pie words, freedom, security, identity and democracy" Griffin 2001 US
cjonoes, shanghai, China
Steve - what a ridiculous comment about the left v the right. Socialism v capitalism only emerged in the 20th century as political forces. One would have to say dictatorships have been the main oppressors over history with many mass murders to protect their power and proactively reduce resistance.
a don, Sydney, Australia
"The BNP has been accused of racism because of its whites-only membership policy"
But its okay to have a "Black Police Association" an "Asian Police Association" and to top that off white british police officers are not allowed to join BNP. I think the lefties are more racist
Chris, Leeds, UK
Thousands live in fear of "denouncing" and persecution by a marxist government and media for being members of a legally constituted political party.
Sounds like Stalinist Russia doesnt it.
This story is not about the BNP - its about how Britain has become a bullying communist state.
Geoff M, Birmingham, England
I'm so bored by the way the BNP and it's supporters continually tell me I have to allow them freedom of speech, if I don't then I am a hypocritcal bigot. Well, frankly, we've all had enough of this juvenile rhetoric from them. We should not be afraid to tell them to shut up and go away.
AB, Bristol, UK
I've already left British Mensa because they were happy to allow a BNP member, freedom of speech to rant all over the forum. All these facists do is stir up trouble and fear. It's unbearable that we have to allow this BNP group any rights at all.
Louis, Leicester,
Has anyone here ever heard of something called freedom of association? It's something we used to have. At the height of the cold war when Russian tanks rolled through Prague and people were shot trying to get over the Berlin wall, were communists sacked?
So it seems ordinary people do join the bnp.
ian, swindon, UK
Those who scaremonger most about the BNP's supposed threat to civil liberties are themselves the real threat. It should be obvious that no one should be sacked for membership of a legal political party. But to the Left and our politicised services it's not obvious. Tyranny is already here.
David, London, UK
"Soldiers, police officers, teachers and doctors were in fear for their jobs last night..."
Mentioning "police officers" is curious: how is it that members of the National Black Police Association aren't in fear of THEIR jobs? ...Yet THIS "racist organisation" has official recognition.
Why?
Brian Clacey, Croydon, UK
Any student of history should fear the far left more than the far right yet there seems to be an almost acceptable romanticism about supporting the far left. For those who like to over use the word fascism maybe you should take a look around at new labours Britain.
Steve, Devon, England
this is a joke read this article typed in google got the list in seconds some of them just children who will probally just joined for fun.
Who will now get in trouble information like this should not be on they net it can and most likely will cause trouble.
Zaffar, London,
Data theft is a crime and clearly the person/group who leaked the info is hostile to their aims. What a coincidence coming only a few days after they gained a new councillor. I read elsewhere that a Chelsea Pensioner is a member. Is he one of the knuckle dragging thugs David Cameron was on about?
Jon, Northumberland, UK
As far as I know this is not a proscribed organisation. We live in a free country and perhaps the vilification being meted out against these Party members proves that we have a democracy in name only.
Rikki Tikki-Tavi, Lichfield, England
I've have had great fun prank calling members tonight. One activist was supportive of proposals of a 'Final Solution' for black people.
Michael, Exeter,
It's Labour membership that should be blacklisted if any. Labour is the main party that stands for cultural totalitarianism -- which is what fascism is -- in its hatred of ordinary people; its ethos of PC fascism being that of the whole establishment. The BNP (& UKIP) are the ANTI-fascist parties!
steve moxon, Sheffield,
Is it even legal to have a white only membership policy?
Darren Canning, edinburgh, UK
I thought Britain was a democratic country, where freedom of choice was a basic human right!
Why should anyone on a BMP membership fear reprisal, any more than anyone who is a member of the communist party.
This illustrates how latently intolerant those who purport to be tolerant actually are.
peterj, aberdeen, uk
How will the BNP ever recover from this?
I can't quite believe this has happened!
Gareth, Stoke,
Anyone ever heard of Redwatch? What goes around comes around.
I'd urge any potential employer to start checking names on CVs against this list.
There's no room for facism in a decent society.
bob, Louth, United Kingdom