BNP cover-up

From News of the World

Sneaky handbook tells members to wear hats to hide skinheads

By Jamie Lyons, 19/04/2009

AN OFFICIAL handbook for BNP activists reveals how they plan to cover up the LIES and DECEIT behind their election campaigns.

It shows how the far-right party has drawn up schemes to smear Labour and the Tories in June Euro elections.

And it has advised members how to make sure plots to stir up violence stay secret in an attempt to con voters into thinking they are respectable.

The Activists' & Organisers' Handbook tells them to:

• USE internet blogs to put out damaging stories about rivals.
• NEVER advocate violence in emails-in case they are leaked.
• ENSURE supporters wear hats over their skinhead haircuts when out campaigning.

The guide's advice on using the internet suggests setting up blogs that do not appear to be BNP sites to help them collect information for smear campaigns.

Party thugs are told not to even mention violence in emails in case they get out. The guide says: "Don't use it to express extreme views or advocate violence. Your emails are probably less secure than you think."

Activists are also told to refer to the party as the British National Party not the BNP because it sounds "much more reasonable and comfortable".

And members of the party, led by Nick Griffin, must not dress like thugs when campaigning.

The guide states: "No naked torsos in summer, unshaven scruffs or skinhead haircuts (put them in caps or hats)."

A spokesman for anti-racist group Searchlight, which uncovered the book, said: "This booklet exposes the reality behind the BNP mask of respectability.

Hate

"What other political party feels the need to ask its senior organisers to be careful not to get caught discussing their plans for violent behaviour on the internet?

"This shows they are the same old extremists, with the same agenda of hate and division."

The BNP has revealed it is collecting masses of data on its opponents' sexual orientation ready for character assassination campaigns if they criticise the party.

Its official declaration on the Data Protection Register shows information about "relatives, guardians and associates" of any critics is also being gathered.