British Freedom Party
The British Freedom Party (BFP) was a short-lived far-right political party in the UK. It was formed by disillusioned former members of the British National Party in October 2010.[1] The party was de-registered by the Electoral Commission in December 2012[2] after failing to return the annual registration form and £25 fee by the due date of 31 October 2012.[3]
The party's initial entry in the Register of Political Parties listed its officers as party leader Peter Mullins, nominating officer Peter Stafford and treasurer Simon Bennett.[4]
Counterjihad links
The BFP quickly developed links with the anti-Muslim Counterjihad movement. Members including Peter Mullins, Lee Barnes, Simon Bennett and George Whale attended Counterjihad London 2011.[5]
On 9 November 2011, the party announced a new officer board, including former UKIP candidate and counterjihad activist Paul Weston as chairman, George Whale as national nominating officer, and Richard Bateman as treasurer.[6]
Following a meeting on 19 November 2011, it was announced that English Defence League leader "Tommy Robinson" " proposed an association between the EDL and BF.[7]
The pact with the EDL proposed for EDL members to stand as election candidates under the British Freedom Party name, under suitable circumstances.[8] In April 2012 it was announced that the EDL leader, Tommy Robinson, would be named deputy party leader. According to The Guardian he would focus on anti-Islamic strategies.[9]
Weston was replaced as chairman in early January 2013 by the former EDL deputy leader of Kevin Carroll.[10]
External Resources
- Kevin Rawlinson, Angry face of far-right protest prepares to storm local elections, The Independent, 25 November 2011.
- Leaked call reveals ex-BNP cabal had EDL in its sights for months, Unite Against Fascism, 28 November 2011.
Notes
- ↑ New BNP appointments will not stop party sinking, Searchlight, December 2010.
- ↑ Extract from Register of Political Parties Electoral Commission
- ↑ http://www.searchlightmagazine.com/blogs/searchlight-blog/british-freedom-party-deregistration-the-truth-%E2%80%93-exclusive
- ↑ British Freedom Party, Regulated Entity Profile, the Electoral Commission, accessed 25 November 2011.
- ↑ British Freedom Representatives Attend International Counterjihad Meeting, British Freedom Party, 27 September 2011.
- ↑ New Executive Council Announced, British Freedom Party, 9 November 2011.
- ↑ The English Defence League and British Freedom, British Freedom Party, 19 November 2011.
- ↑ Kevin Rawlinson, [www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/english-defence-league-prepares-to-storm-local-elections-6267740.html English Defence League prepares to storm local elections], The Independent, 25 November 2011|
- ↑ Mark Townsend, Britain's far right to focus on anti-Islamic policy, The Guardian 28 April 2012
- ↑ http://britishfreedom.org/kev-carroll-becomes-british-freedom-chairman/
