David Lovibond
David Lovibond a journalist who regularly contributed to The Spectator magazine while Boris Johnston was the editor[1].
BNP Controversy
Lovibond wrote articles in the Spectator attacking multiculturalism and in 2003, the Devizes based journalist wrote an article raising concerns that crime, in particular anti social and drug-related crime had escalated in Devizes. The article coincided with a campaign by the BNP to form a BNP branch in Devizes. The campaign involved sending leaflets about rising levels of crime, which were later condemned as being alarmist. According to the Wiltshire Times:
- "The British National Party has been condemned for distributing an "alarmist" leaflet to homes in Devizes. The leaflet states "Don't let Devizes become a crime blackspot" and adds "Crime destroys communities, time for zero tolerance!" and has been produced as the start of a campaign to form a BNP branch in Devizes. The leaflet was delivered to 1,000 homes in the town and comes a few weeks after an article in The Spectator magazine by Devizes-based journalist David Lovibond raised concerns that crime, in particular anti social and drug-related crime, had escalated in Devizes. The BNP said the delivery of the leaflets was not connected with Mr Lovibond's article and instead was part of its campaigning for the European elections in June 2004[2].
According to statistics from Wiltshire police, the campaign was formed at a time when crime had actually gone down in the area. When the BNP members list was leaked, Lovibond was listed as a BNP activist[3].
Notes
- ↑ David Lovibond, The Real Racists, The Spectator, Accessed 19-June-2009
- ↑ Wiltshire Times, BNP faces flak over `alarmist' poll leaflet, The Wiltshire Times, Accessed 19-June-2009
- ↑ Oliver Marre, Mea culpa, mayor Boris?, The Observer, 23-November-2008, Accessed 19-June-2009
