BNP leader's secret visit to Markyate (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

BNP leader's secret visit to Markyate

11:35am Thursday 11th March 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(10)

THE British National Party leader, Nick Griffin, made a guest appearance at a secret General Election fundraiser in Markyate, the Review can reveal.

The controversial politician and his far right supporters enjoyed a bash at the village hall, raising more than £1,900 for the party's election campaign.

However, BNP Markyate parish councillor Simon Deacon admitted the event, held on Saturday, February 27, was invite only and not publicised for fear of reprisals from anti-fascist campaigners.

Activist Mark Smith of Unite Against Fascism (UAF)said: "I think it's very telling the fact that they have to do their fundraising in secret. These are the kind of politics they have to conceal and keep behind closed doors - it's indicative of their position.

"Anti-rascists broadcast their message loud and proud, but fascists have to keep their ideas behind closed doors.

"We are going to have a very public anti-fascist campaign. We will ensure the anti-fascist message is loud and clear and fascists are not given the oxygen of publicity."

Fellow activist Jon Berry told the Review he was made aware retrospectively of Mr Griffin's visit to the area.

He added: "What sort of legitimate political party is forced to hold its meetings in secret for fear of the public's disgust that these people should be in their village?"

The Review can also reveal that BNP parliamentary candidates from across the county also held a meeting, attended by Mr Griffin, in Markyate three weeks previous to discuss their election strategy.

Asked why both events were not made public, councillor Deacon said: "If UAF knew in advance they would turn up and make the lives of the poeple who work at the village hall hell. You only have to look at Nick Griffin's appearance on the BBC's Question Time to see what these people are like. We work within the law of the land, these people don't.

"We should be allowed to go about our business democratically. Can you imagine if we did anything like this, there would be uproar.

"It's not because we want to be secret, they have forced us to be like it."

The evening attracted around 180 guests and featured performances from a professional Elvis impersonator as well as a raffle and quiz.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(10)