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'BNP ballerina' to wed councillor 'BNP ballerina' to wed councillor
(about 1 hour later)
A ballerina whose support of the far-right BNP sparked protests is to marry one of its councillors. A ballerina whose support of the British National Party sparked protests is to marry one of its councillors.
"BNP ballerina" Simone Clarke of the English National Ballet is to marry Barking councillor Richard Barnbrook."BNP ballerina" Simone Clarke of the English National Ballet is to marry Barking councillor Richard Barnbrook.
He said: "Seven weeks ago I gave her a diamond ring. I'm traditional like that. In the future we will probably get married and have a family."He said: "Seven weeks ago I gave her a diamond ring. I'm traditional like that. In the future we will probably get married and have a family."
The pair met in January when Mr Barnbrook attended a ballet performance to offer his support to Ms Clarke.The pair met in January when Mr Barnbrook attended a ballet performance to offer his support to Ms Clarke.
She had come under pressure for her views, with a small demonstration held outside the ballet venue and calls for the company to fire her.She had come under pressure for her views, with a small demonstration held outside the ballet venue and calls for the company to fire her.
If we do end up getting married, as far as I'm concerned, that child will be my child Richard BarnbrookBNP councillorIf we do end up getting married, as far as I'm concerned, that child will be my child Richard BarnbrookBNP councillor
At the time she was in a long-term relationship with fellow principal dancer Yat-Sen Chang, a Cuban of Chinese descent, and has a five-year-old daughter with him.At the time she was in a long-term relationship with fellow principal dancer Yat-Sen Chang, a Cuban of Chinese descent, and has a five-year-old daughter with him.
Mr Barnbrook said he had been going out with her for more than nine months.Mr Barnbrook said he had been going out with her for more than nine months.
"I first met Simone at the stage door when she danced in Giselle at the Coliseum. I gave her a bunch of flowers on behalf of the party."I first met Simone at the stage door when she danced in Giselle at the Coliseum. I gave her a bunch of flowers on behalf of the party.
"After that we met a couple of times and had a laugh and a drink and a joke. We have so much in common - we are both very interested in the arts.""After that we met a couple of times and had a laugh and a drink and a joke. We have so much in common - we are both very interested in the arts."
During the earlier media coverage of Ms Clarke's political affiliations, Mr Barnbrook was asked his view on her relationship.During the earlier media coverage of Ms Clarke's political affiliations, Mr Barnbrook was asked his view on her relationship.
In January he said: "I'm not opposed to mixed marriages but children [of these relationships] are washing out the identity of this country's indigenous people. That's my view. It's not the party's view."In January he said: "I'm not opposed to mixed marriages but children [of these relationships] are washing out the identity of this country's indigenous people. That's my view. It's not the party's view."
The pair met when Richard Barnbrook offered her supportThe pair met when Richard Barnbrook offered her support
However, he says he was not bothered by possibly becoming a step-father to Ms Clarke's daughter.However, he says he was not bothered by possibly becoming a step-father to Ms Clarke's daughter.
"It doesn't bother me at all. I knew about Simone's child before I met her."It doesn't bother me at all. I knew about Simone's child before I met her.
"If we do end up getting married, as far as I'm concerned, that child will be my child," he said."If we do end up getting married, as far as I'm concerned, that child will be my child," he said.
He dismissed concerns from some people "outside the party with connections to more right wing parties" who might be troubled by it.He dismissed concerns from some people "outside the party with connections to more right wing parties" who might be troubled by it.
"I couldn't give a damn. Whatever the heart does is right, regardless.""I couldn't give a damn. Whatever the heart does is right, regardless."
BNP leader Nick Griffin has repeatedly insisted it is not a racist party.
He was convicted in 1998 for incitement to racial hatred for material denying the Holocaust.