BNP Leader: Don't Say You're With Us

British National Party members have been accused of being ashamed of themselves after their leader told them to hide their support for the controversial group.

In an email to members and supporters, party chairman Nick Griffin told them to "try and avoid" owning up to being BNP supporters when writing to complain about the treatment of two activists.

An emailed newsletter, entitled "Adam Walker needs our help" seeks donations and calls for letters of complaint in support of teachers Adam and Mark Walker who have stood as BNP candidates in elections.

Adam Walker, described by the BNP as a 'super activist', is accused of religious intolerance by the General Teaching Council (GTC) and could be struck off the teaching register if found guilty. He left Houghton Kepier Sports College in Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland in 2007 after it was alleged he used a school laptop to contribute racist and religiously intolerant views to online discussions during lessons.

His brother Mark, lost an appeal against his sacking from Sunnydale College, Shildon, County Durham after being accused of accessing the BNP's website during school hours.

Mr Griffin, who was elected as MEP for the North West region in June, calls on BNP supporters to email or telephone the GTC to protest about fascist harrasment", but without admitting their political affiliation.

"We need all our supporters to contact the General Teaching Council and protest in the most determined way," he says. "When complaining, please be articulate, polite and sensible and try and avoid stating that you are a BNP supporter."

Former Education Secretary David Blunkett said Mr Griffin's comments show that BNP members are ashamed of themselves. "It's not surprising that decent people are ashamed of the BNP when the BNP have demonstrated very clearly by this that they are ashamed of themselves," he said.

Sky News

Lumley: BNP sickos slur hero Gurkha

Angry Joanna Lumley last night blasted a British National Party leaflet targeting a heroic Gurkha recently killed in action.

The Ab Fab star branded as “disgusting” the racist party’s use of a picture of Corporal Kumar Pun* with a cross through it. Thousands of the hate-filled leaflets also demand: “Stop this illegal Gurkha immigration.”

They were issued by teacher Adam Walker, a BNP candidate in next month’s European elections. His party warns of “Gurkha ghettos” if the Nepalese fighters win the right to settle here.

Joanna, 63, said: “The use of a brave British Army Gurkha’s photograph as part of their political campaign is disgusting, especially as he has not yet been buried. A vote for the BNP is a vote against all Gurkhas, against honour, sacrifice, duty and courage.”

Joanna yelled their war cry “Ayo Gorkhali” — “The Gurkhas are coming — outside the House of Commons last month after MPs backed her bid to let all Gurkhas who served in the British Army live here. Ministers ruled last week that Corporal Kumar’s widow and two daughters can stay in Britain. But in his leaflet for the European elections, Mr Walker, of Durham, uses scare tactics to demand they are sent packing.

It reads: “The Government would allow over half a million Gurkhas into this country. This will swamp our local housing and the NHS as most Gurkhas are elderly. They would contribute nothing.”

Last night a spokesman for the anti-racist group Searchlight said: “For the BNP to slur the memory of a serviceman who has laid down his life for his country is sick beyond belief.”

Sedgefield Labour MP Phil Wilson added: “This leaflet just shows what the BNP stand for. I was shocked. I didn’t think that even this party would go that far. It’s an absolute disgrace.

Gordon Brown has promised to review Gurkhas’ rights after a campaign led by Joanna, whose father fought with the brigade. About 36,000 have been denied UK residency despite being prepared to die for the country.

BNP leader Nick Griffin warned of “Gurkha ghettos” and vowed to remove all non-serving Gurkhas.

Technology teacher Mr Walker, 39, left Houghton Kepier Sports College in Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear, in 2007. He is being investigated over claims he used a school laptop in lessons to contribute racist views to online chats.

Sun

* Cpl Kumar, 31, was blown up ten days ago alongside three British soldiers in Afghanistan.