Black Police Association's statement on BNP list

Merseyside Police office Steve Bettley, was suspended after his name featured on an internet list of thousands said to be members of the far right British National Party.

The list, which was removed from the original blog where it was posted but remains available on other websites, names a number of current and former servicemen, along with ex-policemen.

It was reported that a former constituency chairman for the Conservatives and a former Labour prospective parliamentary candidate are also on the list.

According to The Guardian, Lionel Buck, a former chairman of Ashfield Conservative association in Nottinghamshire, joined the BNP two years ago.

He said: "The way the country is at the moment, there is no major party, whether it be Conservative, Labour or Liberal Democrat, looking after the indigenous population."

Andrew Emerson told the newspaper he had been due to fight Chichester in Sussex for the Labour party in 1997 before being taken ill. He said he joined the BNP in 2005 and ran as the party's candidate for Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, in the same year.

A spokesman for Merseyside Police confirmed PC Bettley had been suspended and returned home early from holiday to help an investigation into why his name was associated with the BNP.

It is alleged that the PC was once a driver for the force's chief constable Bernard Hogan Howe - one of the favourites to succeed Sir Ian Blair as Metropolitan Police chief.

A Merseyside force spokesman said PC Bettley's bosses were keeping an open mind "until the facts around the alleged association have been established".

Officers are banned from joining or promoting the BNP because it would damage race relations, according to the Association of Chief Police Officers.

Merseyside Police is keen to ensure that the publication of the list does not lead to individuals being victimised and have asked people who are affected in any way as a result of this information being published to report the matter directly to the Police on  0151 709 6010  or anonymously via Crime-stoppers on  0800 555 111 .

Vinny Tomlinson, Chair of Merseyside Black Police Association released the following statement:

"The aims and objectives of the British National Party (BNP) are totally incompatible with the duties and values of the British police service. The BNP encourages discrimination towards some of the most vulnerable people in our society. To reassure the people of Merseyside, Merseyside Black Police Association (MBPA) believes that where it can be proven and is satisfied that a Police Officer or Police Staff member is a member or supportive of the aims and objectives of the British National Party, they should be dismissed from service.

Due process must be allowed to take place and we appeal for calm in that respect. MBPA also supports Merseyside Police to ensure the safety and security of those who it feels may be at risk as a result of being associated with the BNP as a result of the publication of personal details onto the internet. We condemn any and all unlawful acts and will assist Merseyside Police to hold those to account who perpetrate such behaviour. Today we conveyed those views to Merseyside Police.

MBPA continue to be available to assist Merseyside Police to ensure that this matter is concluded in a way that is fair to all and reflects the seriousness of what is being alleged."

Vinny Tomlinson can be contacted at the MBPA on  0151 777 4406 

The Force's Diversity Team has also issued a statement asking for calm from the local community. Download a copy of the statement here