http://www.thepress.co.uk/news/3938765.BNP_names_put_up_in_York_street/

Monday 1st December 2008

By Mark Stead »

NAMES of members of the British National Party (BNP) have been pinned to a noticeboard in a York street – leading to fears they could be exposed to attacks.

Following the internet leaking of a list containing the personal details of the controversial far-right organisation’s supporters – including their addresses, phone numbers and jobs – police are investigating how the information was made public.

Now fresh concerns have been raised about the security of its 68 members in York and North Yorkshire, whose identities were included on the list, after a copy of it was placed on a City of York Council noticeboard, near the Pack Of Cards pub in Lindsey Avenue.

It was ripped down soon afterwards, but the BNP has branded it as another example of victimisation of its members.

Following the data leak, The Press revealed how a prison officer – now being investigated by the Prison Service – a former civil servant, a professional actor, a business manager, a nurse and two ex-servicemen were among those whose names appeared on the list.

And days later, we also reported how pictures of several of the party’s members in the region had been posted on the internet.

BNP spokesman Simon Darby said: “I don’t think whoever is doing this realises replicating the leaked information is a criminal offence.

“It’s not very nice at all and I just can’t see why people would want to make this so personal, especially where our members’ families are concerned. We wouldn’t do this to supporters of another political party – if we did, there would be uproar.

“It seems to be open season on our members and I feel very sorry for them.

“I just hope those distributing this information are caught and brought to trial.”

One Lindsey Avenue resident, who asked not to be named, said: “I hate everything the BNP stands for, but putting lists of its members up for everybody to see is just asking for trouble.

“I don’t think whoever did this has thought about the possible consequences – it smacks of incitement or trying to stir up a mob. Whatever the BNP’s views, this just feels wrong.”

Holgate councillor James Alexander said he had been told about the pinning-up of the list.

He said: “I am now concerned there may be more lists and the membership of this party could be victimised.

“Anybody who sees such lists on display should remove them.

“Despite the views of the BNP, we are still talking about people, many with young children – they do not deserve to be disturbed or, at worst, victimised.

“They need to be combated at the ballot box, not in the streets or in their homes.”