Anger at National Front campaign (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Anger at National Front campaign

5:04pm Thursday 20th September 2007

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There has been outrage at news the National Front plans to target young people in Chippenham.

The far right political group that bans non-whites and gays has confirmed the town is one of its target areas, where it wants to set up a group.It also said it is planning a march through the town.

A National Front spokesman said it would be leafleting schools and youth groups in a bid to get members.

And executive member, Steve Reynold, added: "We have had a huge influx of inquiries from young people in Chippenham urging us to come here."

However, Abdul Bontarfas, director of the Wiltshire Racial Equality Council, said: "We deplore the activities of the National Front, whose racist policies contradict our racial equality.

"A group which encourages the exclusion of people who are not white will possibly cause trouble for the town."

Stephanie Stevenson, of Wiltshire College, said: "Wiltshire College does not support in any way the actions of any group which does not comply with current legislation on racial equality."

Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, known as the Black Farmer, said: "I think that the people of Corsham demonstrated just a few months ago that they would not tolerate having extreme right wing organisations on their doorstep.

"The people of Chippenham will also show they will not tolerate it."

The Rev Simon Tatton-Brown, of St Mary's Church, said: "The church welcomes the inclusive community of Chippenham irrespective of race, belief or sexuality."

James Gray, MP for North Wiltshire, said: "This will just be a small minority of people in Chippenham. They will not receive support here."

Dick Tonge, leader of the North Wiltshire District Council, said: "There was no evidence in the May local elections that the National Front have support anywhere across the county.

Sgt Steve Cox, of Wiltshire Police, said: "If the National Front do want to plan a march through Chippenham there would need to be a police presence.

"They could not promote any racist or discriminatory policies in public either."

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