Skip to content or view screen version

Hidden Article

This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

BNP banned from public meeting in Bromley

tifar | 08.04.2004 13:31

BNP candidate for London Mayor, Julian Leppert, was denied a place on the panel at an open meeting for the mayoral candidates at the Bromley Civic Centre on 2nd April.

Londoners 'not allowed' to hear BNP address

THE BRITISH National Party's candidate for London Mayor, Julian Leppert, was denied a place on the panel at an open meeting for the mayoral candidates at the Bromley Civic Centre on 2nd April. He was the only candidate barred from the debate, after a threat by other candidates to walk out if the BNP representative was allowed to address the audience.


The effective gagging of a candidate by using such blackmail angered many in the audience and attracted the attention of the media present.

At an impromptu press conference in front of the other candidates, Julian Leppert told reporters:

"London is sinking under a sea of illegal immigrants. Our essential services are being swamped, the pressure on accommodation is at breaking point and crime rates are going through the roof.

"The BNP is the only political party that has the policies to address these issues by calling for an end to asylum and immigration into Britain and the removal of all those people who have no right to be living in our country.

"The fact that I am banned from this meeting tells voters two things. Firstly, that my mayoral manifesto is completely different from all of the others. Their agendas are basically the same. They might argue about the minutiae of certain policies but when it comes to anything that might not be considered 'politically correct', none of them have anything to say.

"Secondly, they are petrified that my message will appeal to voters. So much so, that they would rather have no meeting at all, rather than let me address those here.

"I hope Londoners will be as appalled as I am that free speech on an issue that is so important to the capital is being suppressed."

tifar

Comments

Hide the following comment

Fuck off!

08.04.2004 14:32

I'd imagine the reason people refused to share a platform with you has more to do with the vile rascist shit you're likely to say, rather than a concern that the BNP will do particularly well in the London Mayoral elections (they quite clearly won't). There is a reason why fascists like you are given no-platform - and you know those reasons.

I hope that Indymedia UK keeps its commitment of no-platform for fascists and rascists by hiding this post asap.

Indymedia has a political identity and is rooted in a political movement, based upon the desire for the creation of a free and equal world. It is not a space for the far right to practice their 'free speach' which amounts to the promotion of huge restrictions of freedom upon us all.

For a world free of rascism, sexism and homophobia!
Smash fascism, rascism, sexism and capitalism!
Stop the BNP's election campaign!
Destroy fortress Europe!

jk;lj;