Policeman On BNP Members List Sacked

POLICE Constable Steve Bettley’s, a police constable whose name featured on a was on the leaked list of BNP members has been sacked by Merseyside Police.

Merseyside Police conducted an investigation into the allegation and concluded he had “knowingly been a member of the BNP”.

Can you accidentally be a member of the BNP? Is being a member of the BNP a bit like joining a mail order list that invites you to tick the box if you “do not” want to hold extreme right-wing views or receive special offers of Nazi memorabilia?

As it stands, officers and police staff are banned from joining or promoting the BNP.

Says a Merseyside Police spokeswoman:

“A police misconduct panel has dismissed Constable Steve Bettley after concluding he had knowingly been a member of the British National Party from March 2007 and up to March 2008.”

Ian Leyland, secretary of the Merseyside Police Federation which represented Pc Bettley at the misconduct hearings, says his client was singed up to the BNP by family member.

As he says:

“We are disappointed with the finding and sanction of the Misconduct Panel and do not believe that there is any evidence presented to the panel which would indicate that he was knowingly a member of the BNP. Consequently the Police Federation believe that their decision that he was a member and can no longer serve with Merseyside Constabulary is flawed.

“The Police Federation will be fully supporting Constable Bettley through the appeals process which includes a Chief Constables Review and Police Appeals Panel.

“Constable Bettley would like to place on record that he condemns racism and does not support the views of the British National Party.”

And then just when you think you’ve chance, up pops Simon Darby, national press officer for the BNP, to speak out on your behalf, calling the sacking a “deplorable” “disgusting thing to happen”.

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