BNP leaflet sparks probe

Pamela Welsh

July 15, 2009

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BNP sticker on the front on the bin lorry

AN investigation has been launched after a Salford council bin lorry was spotted displaying a BNP leaflet in the windscreen.

The bin lorry was doing its rounds in Lumber Lane, Worsley, when a resident captured the prominently positioned leaflet on camera.

Ben Cardwell, 24, who lives with fiancee Louise Morris, 29, said: "It took me totally by surprise. I was shocked by it. I called my fiancee to have a look and we both couldn't believe it.

"I wanted to put a complaint to the council. We didn't think it was allowed to put stickers up supporting any political party, never mind the BNP."

The council say investigations are continuing, but union bosses say the staff responsible should be suspended with immediate effect.

Alec McFadden, of Salford Unison, said: "I have never known any public authority to allow support of any political party, whether that be Labour or the Conservatives.

"It makes it ten times worse that it is the BNP - a fascist, racist organisation.

"The council should be taking immediate action and should suspend whoever is involved as soon as possible.

"The investigation should take place to find out who is involved but the council should be seen to respond quickly. This is a very serious matter."

Salford council has confirmed formal action will be taken against whoever put the flyer on the wagon, but has stressed it is still investigating the claims.

Coun Joe Murphy said: "The council has clear rules against using council property to promote political parties in this way.

"I've asked for a full investigation and formal action will be taken. However, until the investigation has been completed it's not appropriate to comment any further."

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umpire 2, Salford M7 4HT (15/07/2009 at 12:28)

maybe this will just show everyone in politics how far this country is worried about the amount of immigrations and illegal asylum seekers are allowed to stay in this country.

Recently we had two persons who were involved in gun crimes, jailed and then should be deported back to their own country but they have appealed because they are worried over how they will be treated when they get.

Instead this country is deporting families who have put something back into society, working, paying taxes, etc.....

It is time to get real.....with what is actually happening in the UK

micki, Weaste (15/07/2009 at 12:37)

Like it or lump it...and we certainly may not like this one... we live in a democratic country where over the years millions gave their lives in two world wars to ensure our freedom.... it is right that we guard human rights slavishy....including the right to freedom of speech.

Whoever put the sticker in the van is most certainly entitled to their own opinion....but they should NOT and must NOT use public services to promote it!

Rammylad (15/07/2009 at 12:42)

Good to Alec McFadden call the BNP Racist and Facist clearly without understanding what that means.

I saw the programme on TV last night about the OAP's who were turned away from protesting in London on the count they had toy soldiers in their possesion which was considered a threat to the UK. Also how David Blunket changed the law and sent 78 police officers a 4am to arrest Brian who has been campaigning for peace outside the HoP for years.

Funny how people accuse the BNP of being facists. If you saw the footage of the appaling manner in which the police treated the OAP's you would know what I mean. I was SHOCKED. I'll not vote Labour ever again, they threaten my right to freedom.

Also forget the BNP sticker, when are the bus companies going to prosecute drivers for going through red lights or the latest craze, flying over the pedestrian crossing a picc gardens when people are waiting to cross?

Squire of Newton, Newton nr. Hyde (15/07/2009 at 12:44)

Micki weaste'

I certainly agree with you on that point, and so it should apply to all the political parties.

I live in Tameside and the local council have the audacity to have 'An excellent council' emblazoned across the the side of the council vehicles ...excellent council my backside.

davefb, bolton (15/07/2009 at 13:03)

'its time to get real'

yeah,, can we kick the fascists out please?

Mark,Radcliffe. (15/07/2009 at 13:06)

If you think that is scandalous,it was only 2 months ago that the Royal Mail had to deliver 29 million BNP election leaflets.

Angelene19, Manchester (15/07/2009 at 13:22)

Salford council needs to calm down before it sacks anyone over this. That leaflet could have been caught up in a pile of paperwork or someone could have put it there as some sort of joke so the driver cannot be automatically blamed as he may not have noticed it was there. Just throw it away and move on. I agree, if someone has put it there deliberately, then they shouldn't have done so in a public vehicle like this but how can that be proved or disproved ? Just move on Salford and stop getting rabid about it. I would hate to see anyone lose their job over something so petty.

Angie33 , Manchester (15/07/2009 at 13:43)

Its the idea that it is on a public service vehicle that makes it so bad.What if it was on a bus or a train?Would binmen be worried if the public made assumptions about all of them because of this?If people put this party up in their own window maybe thats a different thing.Actually Ive not seen one yet.

Angie33 , Manchester (15/07/2009 at 13:48)

And can I add.Would the managers be happy if the public made assumptions about them?

hjk (15/07/2009 at 13:51)

It's a pity all concerned haven't better things to do than find out the who's and why's of a leaflet.

Ran Droid, Manchester (15/07/2009 at 14:15)

@Mark from Radcliffe

What's so scandalous about the Royal Mail delivering BNP leaflets? They are, whether we like it or not, a valid political organisation with every right to use any, and every, commercial service so long as they're not in breach of the services terms and conditions.

It's like those religious chemists who refuse to hand over morning-after pills - sorry, it's your *job*, if you don't want to do it then leave and find another career less likely to disturb your delicate sensibilities.

Mark,Radcliffe. (15/07/2009 at 14:20)

Ran Droid....I was not making a comment,the key words are.."If you think"

Careless Whisper (15/07/2009 at 14:29)

I detest people who snitch on others and as for union bosses calling for their own members to be suspended. WHAT kind of *******! union is that. I for one do not agree with the BNP policies- but a so called union that asks for it's own members to be suspended is no union i want to join. A good union defends ALL members no matter what.

CorneredAllTheLuck, Tameside (15/07/2009 at 14:39)

It would be intimidating to be confronted with this lorry in your street if you are an ethnic minority person. People have a right to be protected from intimidation. The BNP isn't 'just another' political party.

micki, Weaste (15/07/2009 at 14:43)

Angeline
I do agree, I certainly dont want anyone to lose their job this.. as noted, there are many factors to consider and mistakes often unwittingly do occur.
In public/civil service/servants...are public employees who have a difficult job of having to serve many masters of a variety of political persuasons in their lifetime.
Maintaining a strong ethos of impartially enables them to do this and serve the public well......logically, leaving potentially contentitious personal opinions outside the workplace is perhaps their safest bet.
If Jill Baker can keep her job without even so much as a reprimand after all her failures in the Demi Leigh Mahon case, there can be no reason for this bin crew to be treated any differently.

Angie33 , Manchester (15/07/2009 at 15:20)

IMicki Weaste.I cant see the connection between child murder and this story?Is it that they all involve Salford Council

PW, Manchester (15/07/2009 at 15:39)

Speaking from experience, if the authorities want to know what a lot of people think about the BNP and/or their policies, they only have to eavesdrop in a typical working man's pub. Whether rightly or wrongly, Mr Joe Bloggs is looking to something which is more of an antithesis of what they see and read about present immigration policies/cock-ups.

Of course, the public house is one place in which people are not yet forbidden to speak freely amongst themselves. It would be difficult to close them down, apart from taxing them out of existence. However, they are establishments which encourage and sustain binge-drinking of more than 3 alcoholic units per day per person, which is deemed to be terribly bad for us. I've a feeling they will be the next target in enforcing political correction and censorship. Where else is there? Who taught me to think this way?

micki, Weaste (15/07/2009 at 16:13)

Angie
Of course youre absolutely right, there is no comparison in the two events...one over a bit of paper and the other resulting in a childs death....the only common denominator is SCC.
It will be interesting to observe whether the "masters" value the binmens contribution as much as they do hers...despite her unforgivable failings..and defend them and their jobs as vociferously....or as they arent "high flyers" perhaps they are expendable.

Laurie, Bramhall (15/07/2009 at 16:24)

How many people have the BNP killed?

How many innocent Iraq's have been killed since we illegally invaded at the behest of Labour? 900,000

Shouldn't we be focussing our attentions on more important issues. It seems hate isn't as bad as killing.

We never focus on the real issues. I got done for speeding (4mph over) and was given a right rollicking by the copper saying as well 'what would have happened if a car pulled out and you couldn't stop'. It was all hypothetical - what if this, what if that etc.

Anyway two weeks after a car failed to stop at a T junction nad ploughed into me and almost wrote my car off. Any fines or points on licence for the idiot who didn't see the junction? No. Get fined on the 'maybe' but cause an accident and you don't get done.

As for the binman well do you really think that people will see that and decide to vote BNP?

When I was at school teachers gave out labour leaflets, rubbished the tories, put CND stickers on their cases, had support the miners?Thatcher out badges but you dare put anything not labour...

Is It Me? (15/07/2009 at 17:19)

The real fascists are in the Labour government and the non elected European government. They have done more harm to the British way of life than Hitler would. The way Europe is 'united' was his dream but this lot have gone a lot further,immigration excluded! This man should keep his job and free speech should not be suppressed unless it is treasonous.

Andy., Bury (15/07/2009 at 17:19)

This isn't about the BNP as such, it's about displaying a political allegiance on a public sector vehicle. Chippy lot these neo-Nazis though aren't they? :-)

Rammylad (15/07/2009 at 17:59)

If you think that is scandalous,it was only 2 months ago that the Royal Mail had to deliver 29 million BNP election leaflets. Mark,Radcliffe.

Equally is was scandalous that they had to deliver 29 million labour leaflets especially when our very own Mr Chaytor couldn't recall if had finished paying that £13,000 interest bill on his mortgage. Personally I may not remember to pay the milkman £4,30 each week but I can remember everything else.

Rammylad (15/07/2009 at 18:01)

Anyway, who saw Nick on the Sunday Show with Andrew Marsh?

I feel he came across very balanced and full of policies that could work. I was not expecting that to be honest. How come the MEN did not make an article out of that?

Andanotherthing, Mcr (15/07/2009 at 19:05)

A tit in a van needs sacking..job done

Reasons2bcheerful, Urmston (15/07/2009 at 20:27)

Should the right to "freedom of speech"be given to those who want to bring fascism to the UK?
And who would put an end to freedom of speech,if they ever got into power!
Blood is only one colour.
Read your history books and biology books so that knowledge will enlighten your souls.
Karma is out there.

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