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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Merseyside Pc on BNP member list | Merseyside Pc on BNP member list |
| (about 13 hours 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 investigation into the Pc's appearance on the list, although it is not clear if the officer 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 their 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 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. | "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) said Merseyside Police had voluntarily referred the case to their officers. | Meanwhile the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said Merseyside Police had voluntarily referred the case to their officers. |
| However the police watchdog decided it did not need to be involved. | However the police watchdog decided it did not need to be involved. |
| 'Thorough investigation' | 'Thorough investigation' |
| Ms Naseem Malik, IPCC Commissioner for the North West, said: "I have every confidence that Merseyside Police will investigate this matter thoroughly. | 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." | "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. |
| The Merseyside Black Police Association (MBPA) said the officer should be dismissed if he "is a member or supportive of the aims and objectives of the British National Party". | The Merseyside Black Police Association (MBPA) said the officer should be dismissed if he "is a member or supportive of the aims and objectives of the British National Party". |