A LEADING anti-racism cam-paigner is calling on Lancaster people to fight the British National Party - which plans to stand for council seats locally.

Local trade unions, religious groups and established political parties need to come together to see off the BNP, says Gerry Gable, publisher of anti-fascist magazine Searchlight.

But he says he is not convinced that the far right party will put forward candidates.

"The main thing is that the public should know what is being offered to them and who is offering it," said Mr Gable this week.

"For example, one of their national organisers stood for a seat in East London on a strong law and order' ticket, but he had 12 convictions for things like drug-dealing, burglary and assaulting a police officer."

He says that isn't the party's only deception.

"When the BNP says it is putting up candidates in an area, people often assume there is a branch there," Mr Gable says.

"Quite often it is only an individual who is corresponding with them. They may have members at the university, but their numbers are probably limited."

Mr Gable says an attempt to hold a right wing rock concert in Morecambe last year which his magazine helped to thwart provides a possible connection with the right wing. And the BNP is becoming increasingly active in Blackpool.

Searchlight revealed four years ago that Dr Phil Edwards the BNP media officer is actually Dr Stuart Russell, a leading BNP national organiser.

"How do you expect people in the media to believe you when your national press officer lies about his name?" added Mr Gable.

"Because they have won some council seats, one of the things they are doing is sending out press releases saying we are standing in your area' it doesn't always happen."

The local Labour Party and MP, Hilton Dawson have already issued a statement condemning the BNP and calling for unity in the fight against it. See Citizen Letters on Page 14.

January 16, 2003 09:00