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A BRITISH National Party boss has been arrested on suspicion of a sexual offence.
Andrew Kershaw, secretary and treasurer of the Yorkshire and Humber branch, was arrested in the early hours of Saturday morning at his home at Fieldhead Gardens, Dewsbury.
The high-ranking figure spearheaded the BNP's assault on the Huddersfield, Dewsbury and Batley seats during the General Election campaign earlier this year.
No BNP candidates were successful.
A spokesman for the BNP said: "Following an emergency disciplinary meeting of the full Kirklees BNP committee it was unanimously decided to suspend with immediate effect Andrew Kershaw and seek national authorisation to permanently expel him from the British National Party.
"These actions have been taken following details of his involvement in a serious matter coming to light."
But Mr Kershaw has today announced he is to quit the party.
The 43-year-old was released on bail by West Yorkshire police pending further inquiries into the allegation.
Heckmondwike councillor David Exley said: "Everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
"This issue is out of our hands now and has been passed on to the party nationally to deal with.
"They will act accordingly if and when Mr Kershaw appears in court."
The arrest is set to once again rock the far-right party only months after Huddersfield General Election candidate Karl Hanson was found guilty of possessing heroin and crack cocaine.
Just two days before the public went to the polls, the Examiner exclusively revealed Hanson had been arrested.
Yorkshire BNP organiser Nick Cass urged people not to vote for their candidate, who was later found guilty at Leeds Crown Court
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