BNP councillors face ban threat

BNP councillors Carol Hughes and David Edwards

The three British National Party councillors elected in Burnley could be banned from taking part in council meetings if they pursue a racist agenda.

Local government minister Nick Raynsford said the councillors who gained seats in Thursday's local election were subject to the councillor's code of conduct.

It demands that all constituents are treated "in an equal and fair way".

We will... protect our members and the public from any hint of racist and extremist language

Cliff Williams
Unison

Mr Raynsford told the BBC's On the Record programme that the BNP would be brought to book if they failed to comply.

Meanwhile union leaders have pledged to ensure their members are protected from "the BNP menace".

If the BNP councillors break the code, they face censor by the Standards Board of England, which has powers including censorship and banning organisations for up to five years.

'Serious matter'

Mr Raynsford said: "The code sets out certain very important principles that all councillors must subscribe to.

"Those include treating all people, all constituents in an equal and fair way.

"Now if the BNP candidates, councillors, were to openly and clearly give preference to one particular group of constituents, to say that they wouldn't look after the interests of all their constituents whatever their background or their race, then potentially they could be in breach of this code.

"That of course would be a very serious matter."

Public services union Unison said both white and ethnic minority council staff are unhappy about having to work with the far-right councillors.

Cliff Williams, the union's regional secretary for the north, said: "We will watch the BNP like a hawk and protect our members and the public from any hint of racist and extremist activity and language."

They will not have co-operation from other members

Rafique Malik, Burnley's deputy mayor

Ray Short, Unison manager for Lancashire, said he had met with Burnley council's chief executive, Gillian Taylor, to discuss race issues in the government's code of conduct for councillors.

"We must make absolutely certain our members are treated with dignity and respect, and make sure they do not have to work alongside racists," he said.

Ethnic minority staff make up 4.6% of the Burnley council workforce and are employed across a range of departments, including IT, local taxation, regeneration, equal opportunities and public relations.

Labour councillor Rafique Malik, the deputy mayor for Burnley, said existing staff and politicians have said there was no way they can work with the BNP.

'Asian friends'

"They will not have co-operation from other members because their fascist views are repugnant to the values of British society.

"British people do not tolerate extremism."

Dr Phil Edwards, the BNP's national press officer, said the party would be assessing all the council guidelines.

"You can't force people to mix with these silly laws on race.

"We don't want integration.

"This is Unison playing its usual left-wing games to put obstacles in the way of the democratic process."

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, BNP councillor Terry Grogan said: "I'm not a racist. I've got Asian friends."