A CANDIDATE standing in the European election for the extremist right wing British National Party has posted racist comments on the internet.
Eddy O’Sullivan, the Salford organiser of the BNP, wrote a series of offensive comments about non-white people on his Facebook profile.
Party bosses are now investigating the statements on the social networking site and say he could face disciplinary action, including suspension and deselection.
Mr O’Sullivan, 49, who is fourth on the BNP’s north west list for Euro candidates, admitted making the comments on the website but denied they were racist.
He said: “It was supposed to be a private conversation between individuals. I also may have had a drink at the time. I don’t believe those comments are racist. I’m not a racist and that is that. I don’t regret saying anything because it was a private conversation.”
His Facebook profile was publicly viewable, which meant it was accessible to anyone on the site, but it has since been taken down. Last night Mr O’Sullivan’s details had been removed from the BNP’s website.
In recent years the BNP has attempted to change its image as a racist party. However, it still allows only white people to become members and has a policy of demanding that non-white British people leave the country.
Clive Jefferson, north west organiser of the BNP, said if the allegations were proved Mr O’Sullivan would be suspended from the BNP in Salford.
He said: “That is unacceptable and I’m going to suspend him from the party and from the European candidacy.
“There’s freedom of speech and there is unacceptable language and I think this is unacceptable.”
Simon Darby, deputy leader of the party, said: “We will have an investigation and we will take disciplinary action if we find he has posted the comments. If he has made these comments on a public website then it is a serious matter.”
Mr O’Sullivan, a driving instructor, came third earlier this year in a by-election in Pendlebury. In the run-up to the vote Mr O’Sullivan also made disparaging comments about Liberal Democrat councillor Steve Cooke on his website.
Source: www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk, May 22, 2009