Tories shortlisted notorious BNP activist for local elections

From LabourList

There’s an important story developing in Lancashire this weekend, as it’s emerged that the Conservatives shortlisted one of the most well known far-right activists in the North West as a possible candidate for a town council.

Nick Holt was head of the BNP in Blackburn, ran the local BNP office and stood against Jack Straw as the BNP candidate in the 2005 general election. He has also stood for the BNP and other extreme parties in every local election since 2004. He was recently approached by local Conservatives to stand in the upcoming local elections.

In an attempt to limit the story yesterday, Conservative Central Office told the Lancashire Telegraph:

“As soon as Mr Holt’s history with the BNP was discovered by the party action was taken to immediately suspend him from the party with the intention of expelling him.”

But Blackburn Labour responded:

“This man was one of the North West’s most notorious BNP activists. To claim they didn’t know this is absurd.”

And Blackburn MP Jack Straw said:

“Nick Holt stood against me in the 2005 general election. His campaign and election leaflets were racist and clearly designed to foment divisions in the community in Blackburn. That the Conservatives ever considered selecting him is abhorrent.”

Blackburn Labour are digging out some of Nick Holt’s BNP leaflets from the 2005 general election and will be releasing them later today. Stay posted for breaking developments…