BNP members booed by protesters at meeting in Aldwick

Some 60 people joined a protest staged by an anti-fascist group as the controversial party's members gathered to discuss the approaching general election.

The size of the protest last Thursday night outnumbered the BNP's gathering of all ages in the offices of Aldwick Parish Council. Police with dogs were present at the premises off Pryors Lane to keep the peace.

Lee Billingham, of the West Sussex coast united against fascism group, said: "We were very pleased with the demonstration. It was arranged at very short notice.

"We believe the BNP is different to every other political party in that they have a leader with a conviction for denying the Holocaust took

place and leading members with criminal convictions. They believe in violent racist solutions to the problems our society faces.

"We intend to protest at any and every BNP meeting we know is taking place in the county."

A 21-year-old protestor from Bognor, who did not want to be identified, said: "It was a peaceful protest, just chants letting them know we did not want them there. The meeting lasted for about two-and-a-half hours.

"The BNP members went in being booed and came out being booed."

Others in the protest came from united against fascism branches along the south coast. GMB and Unison union banners could be seen.

Local BNP organiser Mike Witchell claimed the party had considerable support around Bognor which would be shown in the forthcoming election.

"The BNP is in the front line to defend our people's ancient rights, freedoms, national sovereignity, rights of assembly and free

speech," he said.

"The presence of this rabble, outside our meeting venue, generated an enormous collection for local branch funds, with many invited guests pledging to join the BNP."

Sussex Police said the meeting passed off without incident and without any obstruction to public roads.

A row has erupted over the British National Party's use of council offices in Aldwick.

The deal between Aldwick Parish Council and the far-right political party became public just before the latest meeting at the Pryors Lane premises last week.

The council came under extreme pressure through dozens of phone calls to scrap the hiring but insisted it should go ahead. Attempts by the Observer to speak to council chairman Cllr Carol Wiseman about the matter were unsuccessful.

But the council's stance angered the BNP's opponents. West Sussex coast united against fascism organiser Lee Billingham said: "We will stage a protest every time the BNP meets at the council's offices.

"Local people we spoke to were quite shocked the meeting was taking place in the offices."

Mike Witchell, the BNP's organiser in the Bognor Regis area, praised the council for standing firm. He said: "Locally, our council has received anonymous threats and abuse simply for allowing supporters of a legitimate political party to meet in its premises."

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