Burnley BNP councillor tried to defraud insurance company

A serving Burnley councillor could face criminal charges after a civil court judge ruled he tried to defraud an insurance company.

Coun. Derek Dawson, the British National Party councillor for Gannow, made a claim against Zurich Insurance which would have initially been worth up to £30,000. The claim related to an accident in 2003 at Zurich customer Mr Stephen Hargreaves' house in Whalley, where it was alleged Coun. Dawson's severely fractured ankle was caused by a ladder being knocked onto his leg by a car driven by Mr Hargreaves.

As it was a civil trial no punishment was handed down by the court, but Zurich was granted permission to pursue Dawson and Hargreaves for Contempt of Court proceedings through the Attorney General. If successful, this will attract a criminal penalty.

But Burnley's BNP leader Coun. Sharon Wilkinson defended Coun. Dawson, calling him "an excellent councillor" and even questioned whether the judge was influenced by Dawson's "political persuasion".

During the case, which began last year before starting again this month, Deputy Circuit Judge John Morgan heard evidence at Burnley County Court, which proved the fracture was caused by Dawson falling off a ladder rather than Hargreaves' car knocking the ladder onto him.

Coun. Wilkinson said: "At the start of the case, the judge was made aware Derek was a BNP councillor. He then chose to believe the evidence of Zurich's expert engineer and not Derek's expert engineer as to how his injuries were caused. Whether the judge was influenced by Derek's political persuasion we can only speculate. Derek is an excellent councillor and I don't think this will affect his position."

But Burnley Council leader, Coun. Gordon Birtwistle called for Coun. Dawson's resignation saying: "Any councillor that attempts to commit fraud is not a fit and proper person to be a councillor."

Mr Stephen Langton, representing Hargreaves, appealed against the judge's decision, which was not granted. Mr Langton and Mr James Hurd, representing Dawson, also appealed against the imposition of court costs, but again the judge found in favour of Zurich. The costs, which are expected to run into tens of thousands of pounds, will be decided later.

Mr Simon McCann, representing Zurich, argued: "Dawson and Hargreaves colluded together to defraud Zurich. Fraudsters should not benefit."

Mr Scott Clayton, claims fraud and investigations manager for Zurich, said: "Fraud is something we take very seriously as this case shows. Unfortunately, some people will go to great lengths to secure financial gain. We challenge fraud because the costs in challenging these cases are spiralling at the expense of the honest customer."

Burnley Express

BNP man in fraud probe

Police and council officials are investigating allegations that a newly-elected BNP councillor has broken strict election laws.

John Burgess was elected to represent the far-right party in the Meir Park and Sandon ward on Stoke-on-Trent City Council on May 1. But concerns have been raised about statements he made on his nomination papers.

It is claimed he incorrectly stated he had a business interest at an address in Stoke-on-Trent.

Mr Burgess lives outside the city, in Blythe Bridge, and has been a BNP councillor on Staffordshire Moorlands District Council for a year. But he used a business connection in Longton to stand for election in Stoke-on-Trent.

He stated that his military memorabilia business, J & J Antiques, operates from a premises in Wood Street, as well as from his home address in Crossfield Avenue. But a Meir resident claims he has breached the Local Government Act 1972 and the Representation of the People Act 1983 by making false declarations on his nomination papers.

Now Staffordshire Police, the city council and the district council are all investigating complaints about Mr Burgess's conduct.

A police spokesman said: "Officers from our economic crime unit, which oversees electoral issues for the force, are liaising with Stoke-on-Trent City Council following a complaint concerning the May local elections."

City council head of legal services Paul Hackney said: "We have received a complaint which we are investigating. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."

The district council has passed the matter to its standards committee, which is assessing whether to investigate further. Breaches of the Local Government Act can see defendants jailed for up to a year or given a heavy fine.

An Electoral Commission spokesman said: "We do not investigate breaches of the Act, as they are a police matter."

Mr Burgess vehemently denies any wrongdoing over his nomination papers and insisted the election campaign and result were legitimate.

He said: "I won that seat fair and square. This is just sour grapes from someone. I make pottery at the building in Wood Street, and although I don't have a rental agreement, I have an arrangement with the owners where they let me work there in return for some of the pottery I make.

"I also hold a military memorabilia fair twice a year at Longton Town Hall, which I rent from the city council, and I've done that for nine years. I'm not worried about these allegations and will continue to serve my ward and the city council as normal."

Stoke Sentinel