BNP Councillor to face new probe
Kirklees Unity | 29.04.2007 21:11 | Anti-racism | Migration | Workers' Movements | Sheffield
Coun Colin Auty escaped censure from the councillors’ watchdog body the Standards Board for England after Malik took exception to his lyrics.
Dewsbury and Mirfield MP Malik complained that the lyrics – which he claimed referred to drug dealers and the sexual grooming of 12-year-olds – stirred up racial tensions.
However the Standards Board ruled that because Coun Auty, who performs in an Irish band called Red Claire, was not acting as a councillor at the time they could not intervene.
Coun Auty (Dewsbury East) hit back by giving a brief rendition of the song outside Malik’s office in Daisy Hill, Dewsbury. Malik was furious and threatened to seek a change in the law to give the Standards Board more powers.
Now it has been revealed that Malik has made a fresh complaint claiming that Coun Auty’s antics intimidated members of his staff.
Coun Auty, who played a guitar, turned up with Dewsbury South BNP candidate Frank Atack, also a member of the group, and Burnley councillor Derek Dawson.
Coun Dawson filmed Coun Auty’s performance and the video was later added to a DVD which was made available on the BNP website.
Malik, who was not at his office, claimed to the Standards Board that Coun Dawson went inside the building to film.
Staff were intimidated, particularly two who lived in Savile Town and felt they were being targeted.
According to the Standards Board decision notice, one man “locked the door in fear of his safety” and a Muslim woman ran from the main office and hid in a back room. Police were informed.
The Standards Board said Coun Auty had “failed to comply with a number of areas of the Code of Conduct” and the matter would be investigated by the ethical standards officer. Coun Dawson faces the same allegations.
Coun Auty said he had been on the other side of the road and Coun Dawson had not set foot inside Malik’s office. All they saw were silhouettes of people inside.
“It was just meant as a poke in the eye for him,” said Coun Auty.
“He has kept this rolling along because he wants to make himself a victim.
“It may have been a bit foolish but then I am a bit cavalier. It is the first time I have been accused of intimidating anyone.
“All three of us are no bigger than Lester Piggott.”
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