BNP activist rebailed over 'racist leaflets'

A BNP activist whose name was put to alleged racist leaflets distributed in Lancashire has been rebailed by police probing the incident. Tony Bamber (right), aged 53, of Greenbank Street in Plungington, Preston, was arrested late last year on suspicion of the publication and distribution of written material intended to stir up racial hatred, and the possession of racially inflammatory material.

It has now emerged three other men arrested over the distribution of leaflets in Lancashire which alleged Muslims were responsible for the heroin trade, will not be prosecuted. However, Bamber must answer bail again later this month.

More than 3,000 anti-Muslim leaflets were distributed in Tulketh, Preston, and in the Lancashire villages of Great Eccleston, St Michael's and Chipping, as well as Burnley.

Supporters of the British National Party, including leader Nick Griffin, demonstrated outside Burnley's police station last November following dawn raids which they described as "Gestapo-like". The BNP said two of four men held in the raids were BNP members in the local area.

The leaflet urged people to "heap condemnation" on Muslims and said they should "apologise" over claims they were responsible for 95% of the world's heroin trade.

A photograph of 21-year-old Rachel Whitear - who was found dead holding a syringe at her flat in Exmouth, Devon, in May 2000 - accompanied the literature. Miss Whitear's mother, Pauline Holcroft, of Ledbury, Herefordshire, later told the Lancashire Evening Post she was furious and condemned the way it referred to heroin addicts as "nasty pathetic parasites".

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: "A 41-year-old man from Nelson, a 44-year-old man from Darwen and a 57-year-old man from Nelson were all arrested on suspicion of the publication and distribution of written material intended to stir up racial hatred, and the possession of racially inflammatory material. However, they have now been told they will not face prosecution."

She added a 53-year-old man from Preston arrested on suspicion of the same offences was rebailed until later this month.

Lancashire Evening Post

Mum's fury over 'race hate campaign'

A mum is furious a picture of her dead daughter is being used in a "race hate campaign."

Pauline Holcroft allowed several educational campaigns for schoolchildren to use the shocking image of her 21-year-old daughter, Rachel Whitear, taken three days after she overdosed on heroin in May 2000, to prevent other deaths.

But Pauline and husband Mick were horrified to discover the picture had also been published on more than 3,000 anti-Muslim leaflets distributed in Tulketh, Preston, and in the Lancashire villages of Great Eccleston, St Michaels and Chipping.

Mrs Holcroft said: "I am furious to think her picture is being used like this – we have only ever intended it for educational purposes."

The leaflet shows the now infamous picture of Rachel slumped in the foetal position, and makes unsubstantiated accusations about the Muslim community and the world's heroin trade.

Mrs Holcroft added: "It's such a blanket statement. I think it incites racial hatred. I just hope no-one thinks we or any of our family and friends support theseviews. We would never have allowed its use in something like this.

"It is really upsetting because it could land on the doorstep of our relatives in Ormskirk.We never saw her death as a political matter and it has been used without any consultation with ourselves."

The man behind the literature is Tony Bamber, of Greenbank Street, Plungington in Preston, who says he is a member of the British National Party.

He refused to confirm that he had sought Rachel's parent's permission to use the image.

Lancashire Police have received several complaints and are investigating the matter.

Lancashire Evening Post

[NB - Tony Bamber IS a member of the BNP. See also http://norfolkunity.blogspot.com/2008/03/police-and-british-legion-probe.html. We also note that sick lunatic Lee Barnes, BNP legal advisor and long-term sickness benefit claimant, is using stolen images of Rachel in another anti-Muslim rant. Perhaps the police might be interested in that, too?]