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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Merseyside Pc on BNP member list | Merseyside Pc on BNP member list |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A Merseyside Police officer has been named on a leaked list of British National Party (BNP) members. | A Merseyside Police officer has been named on a leaked list of British National Party (BNP) members. |
| The force said it had launched an urgent investigation into the Pc's appearance on the list, although it is not clear if he is a party member. | The force said it had launched an urgent investigation into the Pc's appearance on the list, although it is not clear if he is a party member. |
| The document, which dates from 2007, has the names, addresses, jobs and phone numbers of 12,000 people. | The document, which dates from 2007, has the names, addresses, jobs and phone numbers of 12,000 people. |
| Police officers have been banned from being members of the anti-immigration party since 2004. | Police officers have been banned from being members of the anti-immigration party since 2004. |
| Earlier this year, the BNP obtained an injunction at the High Court in Manchester banning any publication of the list. | Earlier this year, the BNP obtained an injunction at the High Court in Manchester banning any publication of the list. |
| After it was leaked online, party leader Nick Griffin told the BBC's Today programme the list was "essentially genuine", but a number of non-members had been added. | After it was leaked online, party leader Nick Griffin told the BBC's Today programme the list was "essentially genuine", but a number of non-members had been added. |
| Merseyside Police will investigate whether the officer is a party member, and if not, how his name came to be on the list. | Merseyside Police will investigate whether the officer is a party member, and if not, how his name came to be on the list. |
| We will be keeping an open mind until all of the facts have been established Merseyside Police spokeswoman | |
| "We are very clear - membership of the British National Party is totally incompatible with the duties and values of the police service and Merseyside Police," said a spokeswoman. | "We are very clear - membership of the British National Party is totally incompatible with the duties and values of the police service and Merseyside Police," said a spokeswoman. |
| "We will not accept a police officer or police staff being a member of BNP. | "We will not accept a police officer or police staff being a member of BNP. |
| "As a matter of urgency, we have immediately started an investigation into all aspects of this case. | |
| "We will be keeping an open mind until all of the facts have been established." | "We will be keeping an open mind until all of the facts have been established." |
| Meanwhile the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) saud Merseyside Police had voluntarily referred the case to their officers. | |
| However the police watchdog decided it did not need to be involved. | |
| Ms Naseem Malik, IPCC Commissioner for the North West, said: "I have every confidence that Merseyside Police will investigate this matter thoroughly. | |
| "The national policies are clear that membership of the BNP is incompatible with the requirements of the role of a police officer and I know Merseyside Police will act robustly if necessary." | |
| In a statement on the BNP website, Mr Griffin said he had lodged a complaint with Dyfed-Powys Police on the grounds that the publication breached human rights and data protection laws. | In a statement on the BNP website, Mr Griffin said he had lodged a complaint with Dyfed-Powys Police on the grounds that the publication breached human rights and data protection laws. |