The BNP tells reporter CAMERON RAMOS it chose a secret location to guarantee members' safety, while protestors accuse it of being afraid to air views publicly

A MEETING called for the British National Party in Malmesbury was hastily rearranged on Sunday after protesters turned out to demonstrate against the right wing organisation.

The BNP had been invited by a group of residents to a meeting at the Three Cups in Malmesbury at noon but held it instead at an undisclosed location on the outskirts of the town because they said they could not guarantee the safety of members.

BNP's Wiltshire chairman Mike Howseman said: "I spoke to the organisers and they could not guarantee the safety of the people there, so we decided to change the venue.

"The people who protested were just a rent-a-mob. We counted only six who were local."

The decision by the BNP to move the meeting was seen a sign of cowardice by the protesters, who included three-year-old Isabel Mahan.

Protestor and deputy mayor Patrick Goldstone said: "We went out to show we do not really want them in Malmesbury. They are chicken, they do not want to discuss their policies in public."

The BNP's policies, including voluntary repatriation of ethnic minorities resident in Britain, the withdrawal of Britain from Europe and the reintroduction of corporal and capital punishment, were met with widespread condemnation across Malmesbury last week.

But Mr Howseman said that 20 people came to the meeting and all 40 of their information packs were taken.

He said: "There were as many people at the meeting as there was protesting. The response has been terrific. I am very grateful to the people who allowed us to put our views across in a very civilised and English manner."

The first true test of support for the BNP in north Wiltshire this year will be the Abberd ward by-election of Calne Town Council on March 18, when Robert Baggs will stand for the BNP against candidates representing the three mainstream political parties.

In last year's May election Mr Baggs polled 14 per cent for the district council elections and 16 per cent for the town council

He said: "Only around 30 per cent of people turned out for the May election last year. If we can return a percentage increase in votes that would be good."

Mr Baggs wants to campaign on public order and vandalism issues in Calne and would push for more police.

But Liberal Democrat Simon Coy, who is also standing at the election, said he did not rate Mr Baggs a threat.

Mr Coy, who is also a district councillor for Calne, said the Liberals were also concerned with security and would be campaigning on genuine issues that affected Calne people such as traffic calming in the Abberd ward area and redevelopment of the town centre.

He said: "We live in a democratic society, they are entitled to stand, but I completely disagree with the philosophy the party has.

"I do not think a town like Calne even needs that type of philosophy."

North Wiltshire MP James Gray described BNP members as racist thugs and refused to share airtime with the BNP's national press officer Dr Phil Edwards, last week.

Dr Edwards said Mr Gray's actions showed the Tory party's lack of confidence in defeating BNP policies in reasoned debate.