British National Party (BNP) Members List Leaks Online, Contains Full Details About Members Up To September 2008
The British National Party list leaked and has been published online. The entire thing can currently be viewed and downloaded from Wikileaks (or RapidShare, or lots of other resources). The party blamed disgruntled former employees for posting details of more than 10,000 supporters.
The list includes names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of all members up to September 2008. It also includes some people’s ages, especially those under 18 – the BNP offers family membership for £40. Many entries also contain more personal comments about jobs or hobbies. It seems that BNP members include receptionists, district nurses, amateur historians, pagans, line dancers and a male witch.
The membership list dates from late last year, the BNP said, and its publication had been prevented under a high court injunction obtained in April. Embarrassed party bosses have complained to the police and are seeking legal advice to prevent the further spread of the data.
Members have unsurprisingly reacted with outrage. According to The Reg, one commenter said: “I’m also on the list, what the f#ck is going on? I could lose my job.” Another: “The most shocking thing is some of the comments by the names! God help anyone who is in the army, the pison [sic] service, health care, police officer or a teacher.” Several professions in the UK are expected to refrain from party political activities.
Various senior BNP figures are being blamed on blogs for the leak. A spokesman for the BNP was unaware of the leak but said: “It wouldn’t surprise me if someone has done this, but they’ll be in trouble, not just under the Data Protection Act but also for contempt of court – there’s an ongoing court case.”
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November 20th, 2008 at 4:15 am
BNP membership list leak
The autonomous Trade Union Solidarity is concerned by the hysteria stoked up by sections of the media over the leak of a BNP membership list.
Reports that such members were “living in fear” and that they “faced the sack from their jobs” amount to victimisation.
General Secretary of Solidarity Patrick Harrington said:-
“These individuals have the same employment and human rights as everyone else, namely not to be discriminated against. As a Trade Union we don’t discriminate on political grounds and have members of different parties or nonel. We offer advice and represent them all at various levels.”
“Anyone named on this list who is concerned that they may be harassed by their employer should contact us. Our Union has decided to extend immediate protection to anyone joining now without any qualification period. We will defend your rights if you encounter any difficulty. We warn Bosses that any illegal actions against a member of our Union on grounds of their political views or association will get an immediate and effective response from our Brotherhood. We believe the legal position is clear.”