EPPING FOREST: BNP has 61 members in district

10:45am Thursday 20th November 2008

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A SHOE-SALESMAN, a shop owner, and a semi-retired equine dentist, are among people in the district registered as members of the BNP according to a leaked list.

The list of 12,000 names, which was posted anonymously on the internet, shows Loughton has more BNP members than the rest of the district put together with 32 people from a total of 61.

Waltham Abbey has ten members, Ongar has five, and Epping four, with the villages totalling ten among them.

Some names on the list have provoked controversy with the BNP claiming they are fictional or not party members.

One man, who owns a shop in Loughton High Road, said he was shocked to find his name on the list as he had never been a member of the BNP.

He told The Guardian: “I’m slightly confused as to how my name’s on there. It’s just absurd. I’m not worried as I’m not a member, but I’m going to be worried if people keep phoning up and asking me.”

Asked for his view on the BNP he said: “My personal views are irrelevant. It’s a private thing anyway. No-one should have their party allegiance made public. If I was a member of the Lib Dems I wouldn’t want it to be made public. Being branded a member of the BNP isn’t a good thing.”

Other residents on the list were less concerned.

Gillian Harris, of Avondale Drive, in Loughton, said everyone knew she was a BNP member anyway.

She said: “I’m not really bothered. I don’t think I’ve got anything to worry about. If I get offensive calls I’ll just put the phone down, and I’ve got two great big dogs here.”

Epping Forest BNP group leader Pat Richardson said she was angry at the leaked list and that several of her fellow members had received phone calls harassing them.

She added: “It’s not on. Any party would be a bit miffed to find their information misused “It could be worse for some of our members than others because of the attitude of some of the media. My name’s in the public domain anyway, but I know some members who have received unwarranted phone calls because of this. It’s mainly just people questioning why they’re members. It’s the type of thing that attracts idiots who abuse the person. I just tell people to be polite with them.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Communities or indivduals may feel some concern at the release of this information. Essex Police will work with communities, individuals and neighbourhoods to resolve these concerns. Should there be any evidence of offences having been being committed as a result of this information then we will investigate fully in line with our normal practice."