Fury over Jewish mum's BNP support

7:13am Sunday 21st March 2004

NEWS that a Jewish mother-of-two is set to stand for the British National Party in June's Epping Forest Council elections has been met with shock and disappointment.

Pat Richardson, 58, of Forest Road, Loughton, wants to stand in one of the seven Loughton wards, a move that has been condemned by local politicians, who say she would find no support.

Mrs Richardson, a BNP member of two years, denies being a racist and said the BNP had changed and was a "different party".

The prospective candidate said she would be standing on issues of law and order, green spaces, fairness for the elderly and anti-social behaviour and said she would represent all her constituents equally, no matter what their race.

In Jewish newspaper the Jewish News the Labour Friends of Israel's David Mencer is quoted as saying the move is a "sick stunt".

Epping Forest Council's Conservative group leader Maggie McEwen said: "If she is saying these things then that's not the BNP party as we know it. I don't think it will get anywhere, I don't think the people of Epping Forest will follow the BNP."

Labour group leader Stan Goodwin, whose Loughton seat is up for grabs, said: "I would be totally disappointed if they did stand. I don't think there's any need for that type of party in this country. I don't know where she's going to stand but it will not serve any real purpose."

Mr Goodwin said that if Mrs Richardson was standing on local issues then she should stand as an independent.

Loughton Residents' Association group leader Peter House, whose Loughton seat is also up for re-election, said he was "staggered and amazed", adding: "We would like to think they would get a very negative response. I feel very strongly on this subject and would be disappointed if they were to find any support at all."

Liberal Democrat group leader and council leader Michael Heavens said: "It does concern me that racism may be raised here, but the BNP is fielding candidates in lots of places and our position as a party is that we will fight them on arguments. If they're not declaring some issues that are obviously part of their policy then we will draw attention to that."

Grange Hill district councillor Gavin Stollar, who is Jewish, said he was "exasperated", adding: "I can honestly say that if this lady seriously believes the BNP represents her interests she is both naive and misguided.

"She has to recognise that the objectives of the BNP ultimately contradict her very roots and background. Although the BNP wants to be seen as a more progressive non-radical party, the undercurrent of its message and ideology is as worrying as ever."

Mrs Richardson said allegations of anti-semitism and holocaust denials made against the BNP were "in the past".

"My purpose in joining the BNP and standing is just to try and make things better for everyone," she said. "If people took the trouble to find out what the BNP stands for today, it would benefit lots of people, including Jews, and they would find themselves for all of the policies."

A BNP party spokesman said it was proud to have Mrs Richardson representing it. He added: "There is no evidence that the BNP is anti-semitic; there are so many lies and so much misinformation out there about the BNP."