BNP targets asylum villagers

Caythorpe Court is a former agricultural collage

The British National Party has targetted villagers campaigning against an asylum centre being built near their homes in Lincolnshire.

The far right group has sent a newsletter highlighting its policies on asylum seekers to members of an action group set up to fight plans for the centre near Caythorpe.

The newsletter was discussed by hundreds of villagers who attended a meeting on Monday night to find out more about the proposal.

The Angel Group, which owns Caythorpe Court, near the village, is considering turning the former agricultural college into a short-term emergency centre for asylum seekers.

'Poor influence'

Sylvia Macdonald, who was at the meeting, said the BNP had been active in the village.

"As regards the BNP, I think they would be a very poor influence and I don't hold with things like that at all."

I don't think we have got any objection to people who are in need coming to this country

Derek Walsh, campaigner

Derek Walsh, from the Caythorpe Action Group, said of the BNP: "Certainly it is not something that we would want to encourage.

"I think it was a newsletter they sent round.

"It contained a number of articles about different parts of their activities.

"I don't think we have got any objection to people who are in need coming to this country.

Stewards patrol

"The problem that we have is we just don't have the amenities here that would be able to cope with a large influx of people from other countries."

Another villager, Michael Lees, said there had been stewards at the meeting to keep members of the BNP out and echoed the view that the village could not cope.

The site is ideal for the purpose

Robert George

However, not everybody in Caythorpe is opposed to the asylum centre.

Robert George sent an email to BBC Radio Linconshire saying: "The only implication I can see is the remote possibility there might be an effect on house prices."

He pointed out that security fences had gone up after protesting villagers demonstrated at the former college earlier this month.

"The site is ideal for the purpose," he said.

"Is it time to stop moaning and turning the whole thing into such an issue?"

It is thought the government will make a decision on Caythorpe Court in the near future.