Radio DJ fired after BNP teachers, police and lawyers are exposed in membership list leak | Mail Online: “Radio DJ fired after BNP teachers, police and lawyers are exposed in membership list leak

By Michael Lea and Nicola Boden, Last updated at 3:24 PM on 19th November 2008

* Radio DJ sacked by TalkSport after name was on list
* Policeman also named is put under investigation
* Members ‘receive threatening calls after publication’
* BNP leader alleges calls are ‘dirty tricks’ by Labour”

A radio DJ and a police officer were the first alleged members of the BNP to face action from their employers today after the entire membership list of the party was posted on the internet.

DJ Rod Lucas was axed by TalkSport and a policeman in Merseyside was being investigated after they were ‘outed’ as having signed up to the far-Right organisation.

Soldiers, teachers and doctors also on the list were today fearing their jobs could be in similar jeopardy after the leak which breached a High Court injunction.

The BNP accused disgruntled former officials who were chucked out of the party last year of being responsible and warned anyone involved that they were facing a prison sentence.

Party leader Nick Griffin said: ‘It was entirely wrongly used without authority by a very small group of previous party members who were expelled late last year who then passed it on, to who we simply don’t know.

‘All we can say is that if we find out who it was and they are one of those covered by the High Court injunction, then they are going to prison.’

More than 10,000 people were on the list, including a vicar, an actor, leading businessmen and former civil servants. Many children were also named.

Today, TalkSport radio said it would ‘no longer use’ DJ Lucas, a Sony Award winner who once worked for Radio One, who had covered late-night shifts for the station.

His name had been published along with his address and contact numbers. His profession was given as ‘media: radio/tv production’.

A spokesman said: ‘Rod Lucas has on occasion worked as a fill-in presenter on TalkSport. We were aware that he has worked for BBC Radio Kent and LBC.

‘We were not aware of his membership of the BNP until today. We have no plans to use Rod Lucas in the immediate future.’

Meanwhile, Merseyside Police launched a probe after one of their male officers was named on the list.

Since 2004, officers have faced dismissal for being a member of the BNP because of the risk it could damage race relations.

Hundreds of members had received threatening calls in the last 24 hours since the list was leaked, leader Mr Griffin claimed.

‘We’re sure that this is a left-wing trick by the unions and the Labour Party. The number of calls, the sheer volume of it can’t come from an isolated number of people,’ he said.

Despite his members’ fears, he also said publication of their names could ultimately prove ‘fantastic’ for the party as he appeared with supporters in Burnley today.

‘We couldn’t have bought the publicity… It’s going to show people that we’re not a bunch of skinhead morons, which is the left-wing media-created image,’ he said.

‘It shows we’re far broader than that, a snapshot of decent British society. It will significantly increase our votes next year.’

BNP spokesman Simon Darby had warned earlier: ‘If we find out who published this list, it will turn out to be one of the most foolish things they have done in their life. I wouldn’t want to have done that – I wouldn’t be sleeping very well tonight.’

The list includes people’s names, addresses and ages as well as other ‘relevant’ information. Children are also on it because the party has family membership deals.

Many entries are accompanied by the warning to administrators: ‘discretion required, employment concerns’.

Keiron Le-mar, a former soldier who now works for an energy company – was aghast that even his service number had now been released.

‘I’m obviously disappointed… I’m worried about that because in my job I go round people’s houses. I’m involved in all sorts of walks of life. I don’t know how they would look on that. It could make the company look bad,’ he told the Times.

‘I joined the BNP because I feel they are the people who stand up for Britain as a country. I’m not for the racist views. To be honest, all I’ve ever got was letters asking for money.’

Internet chat sites have been flooded with fearful messages since the list emerged.

One online comment read: ‘I’m on the list, I could be chucked out of the Army. What is going on?’

Another added: ‘This is a disaster for the BNP, both on a PR front and a security level. Heads should roll and I’m afraid that the buck has to stop with the chairman.’

The membership list was password protected and encrypted. Publication was forbidden under a High Court injunction obtained in April.

Mr Darby insisted it was leaked in a ‘malevolent and spiteful’ move to try to destabilise the party:

‘It is part of a dirty tricks campaign and a desperate move by our political opponents,’ he said.

He claimed the list contained the names of people who had never been members of the party as well as those of current and former members.

The person who leaked the material could be prosecuted and fined but the chances of members’ successfully suing them or the party over the breach are slim.

It was discovered after people started receiving unsolicited mail and contacted the BNP.

The party claims it has more than 100 local and parish councillors, the latest of whom was elected in Boston, Lincolnshire, last week. Race tensions are high in the town as migrants make up a quarter of the population.

It plans to make a major push to win seats in the elections to the European Parliament next June.

In 2006, it was revealed that Covent Garden ballerina Simone Clarke was a member of the BNP after the party was infiltrated by an undercover journalist.

It was claimed that activists are encouraged to use false names while on party business and instructs them in the use of software to encrypt emails.

Many of its members, however, are far from the stereotype of the British far-Right.

According to reports at the time, one is the American chief executive of a City investment corporation, while another is a servant of the Queen, living at Buckingham Palace.

Labour MPs Margaret Hodge and Jon Cruddas have repeatedly warned of the march of the BNP in East London.

The list shows the BNP has attracted support from all corners of the country and across the social spectrum.

Members include teachers, librarians, solicitors, nurses and linguists. They list hobbies including landscape painting, hunting, gardening and church singing.

There is no ban on teachers, doctors and nurses joining the party although it is not deemed compatible with frontline service.

And living in Britain isn’t a requirement of being a member of the British National Party.

One lives in San Diego in the US and another in France.

An activist from Stockport in Cheshire is listed as a company director and another from Rubery in Birmingham works as a private investigator.

Other members include an ex-GMB shop steward from Hornchurch in Essex. A retired solicitor from Wanstead in London is happy to proofread and edit leaflets and posters.

Another member from Nympsfield in Gloucestershire has a BA in languages and a masters degree in translation.

A businesswoman from North London speaks French and Italian. A district nurse from Bideford in Devon is listed as enjoying ‘walking, knitting and helping people in need’.

At least one serving police officer is on the membership list, along with several retired officers.

It also includes16 servicemen, including a Royal Marines Commando. Among the 68 members listed as former servicemen are one Chelsea Pensioner, three Paras, three Guards and two Royal Marines.

Other members are identified as practising pagans and one male member is listed as ‘witch’.