The story below appears on www.wscountytimes.co.uk:

A BRITISH National Party supporter has vowed to call a local election after Upper Beeding Parish Council rejected her as a member for the second time.

Donna Bailey, 41, stood to be co-opted on to the parish council on Tuesday (November 6) after being rejected in September in what she described as an 'undemocratic' process.

However, she lost out on a seat once again after a paper ballot was taken this week.

Mrs Bailey said she feels the parish councillors have been blinded by her BNP membership and will now resort to asking for a local election in the village.

She said: "Politics should not influence decisions made at parish council level."

"How right is it that I am not allowed to be co-opted on just because I am a member of the BNP?

Chairman David Coldwell said afterwards: "The atmosphere at the meeting was emotionally charged and I am afraid that within parts of the council, Mrs Bailey does excite some passion."

At the meeting, three people were co-opted on to the council leaving just two vacancies.

Full report in the County Times.
Last Updated: 09 November 2007 2:48 PM