North East BNP and May Elections 2003
Though the British National Party was optimistic about likely gains in North East local elections, they failed to win seats in any of the 9 areas in which they stood candidates - Darlington, Derwentside, Easington, Gateshead, Sedgefield, South Tyneside, Stockton, Wear Valley and the West End of Newcastle upon Tyne.
BNP Candidates - NE Local Elections May 2003.
Photograph: Kevin Scott - BNP northeast regional organiser -
conviction for assault, 1987; conviction for using threatening words and behaviour towards a group of Asians 1993.
BNP and Asylum
“Asylum was the touchpaper we needed to win the support, to give us the credibility and legitimacy…” Kevin Scott. But the asylum issue failed to create support in the face of a strong local anti-fascist campaign.
Sunderland
A major campaigning effort was concentrated upon Sunderland with the BNP fielding fascist candidates for each of the 25 local council seats that were up for re-election.
Asylum Death - August 2002 - Hendon, Sunderland*
Peiman Bahmani, 28, an asylum seeker from Iran, was stabbed to death. Peiman’s death coincides with intense local campaigning by the BNP against asylum seekers.
During the past year in Sunderland, racially motivated attacks have increased by 25 per cent. This includes a 19 per cent rise in assault, a 12 per cent rise in abuse, and a 175 per cent rise in racist graffiti.