High-profile message to BNP

The Bishop says the BNP is 'not in the interests of Sunderland'

Well-known faces from the worlds of religion, sport, and business have issued a statement about the British National Party's decision to stand for election in Sunderland.

The Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Michael Turnbull, is one of the best-known signatories.

Others include film producer Lord David Puttnam, runner Steve Cram, Sunderland Football Club chairman Bob Murray, and former Vaux Breweries' boss Frank Nicholson.

The BNP is putting up 25 candidates in Sunderland ifor May's local elections.

The letter says: "We believe that the politics of hate has no place in Sunderland, and that it is not in the interests of Sunderland or its people for representatives of any fascist fringe to be elected to the city council."

Dr Phil Edwards, spokesman for the BNP, said his party was not fascist and had "no hatred for another race or anyone else".