Community paper in race row

Traders in Leicester are being asked to boycott a community newspaper which includes letters in support of the British National Party (BNP).

'The Neighbour' has been distributed in Clarendon Park and the surrounding area for more than a decade.

A petition asking local businesses to stop advertising in the paper has gathered 800 signatures.

The paper contains an unedited letters page and articles by the editor, Richard Yates Smith, who supports the BNP.

Overt support

The petition was started by the Labour city councillor for Castle Ward, Patrick Kitterick.

He said he was surprised by the strength of feeling against the paper, when he was campaigning in April.

Posters have been put in the windows of houses asking for the paper not to be delivered.

Mr Kitterick says in recent years it has become more open in its support for the BNP.

Local opinion

He said: "We are not calling for the paper to be banned, what we are doing is making people who advertise in The Neighbour aware of its editorial policy.

"We are also making them aware that a lot of people object to the support for the British National Party which is in the paper."

But Mr Yates Smith insists the paper has got strong support because it does not censor material.

He said: "The Neighbour is and always has been absolutely middle of the road.

"We featured the Conservative candidate at the last election and have had contributions from a Labour member.

"We don't edit articles and letters which come in which is why we are so popular."

Councillor Kitterick says he will be writing to all the traders in the area detailing the strength of local opinion.