We'll set dogs on you: BNP thugs
TWO anti-BNP protesters were told they would have their throats ripped out by Rottweilers if they continued to disrupt a fundraising dinner in Ross-on-Wye.
Mother-of-five Antoinette Beizsley, 47, said she was also "pushed hard" by BNP-hired thugs at the town's Chase Hotel when she and members of her family breached a police line to enter the hotel's grounds, before being verbally threatened.
Antoinette's aunt Sue Fellows, also received the threat.
Sue, who is a youth worker at Cinderford's CANDI drop-in centre, said: "They told us if they saw us again they'd open the back of their van and set their Rottweillers on us. They said the dogs would rip our throats out."
One protester, a 19-year-old from Worcester, was given a fixed penalty notice by police for a minor public order offence.
Up to 100 anti-fascist demonstrators – many from Ross-on-Wye and the Forest of Dean – protested as guests of the BNP's Trafalgar Club arrived for a dinner fundraiser for the extreme right-wing party on Saturday evening. One vehicle was pelted with eggs.
Antoinette, who now lives in Wiltshire, said: "I used to be politically active against fascists a long time ago and Ross is my hometown, so I felt incensed when I discovered BNP members were there.
"I have always been against bullies, and the BNP are the worst kind.
"With their racist and discriminatory beliefs, I don't think they should be legal.
"I was proud to be there demonstrating against neo-Nazis with six members of my family.
"I was shocked at the behaviour of the security officers."
Her son Adam is now organising an online campaign on Facebook urging businesses and travel websites to boycott the hotel for hosting the annual dinner.
Sue Fellows said: "I live only a few hundred yards from the Chase Hotel and I've used it in the past. It's shameful that the hotel took the booking, and didn't even inform its staff or other guests until the last minute.
"My grandfather fought against the Nazis and Hitler in the Second World War, and now we have fascists on our doorstep. We had to make a stand against them and their hateful beliefs. Britain has always been a multi-racial society and I see nothing wrong with that."
On Sunday morning BNP leader Nick Griffin was spotted with his entourage taking a pleasure cruise along the Wye at Symonds Yat.
A spokesman for West Mercia police said: "The protest went ahead peacefully and there was no need for any proactive police intervention.
"Disruption to local residents and visitors was kept to a minimum."
While a recently leaked BNP members' list showed the party has just six members within the Forest of Dean constituency (down from nine in 2007), the Hereford constituency, which includes Ross, has its own branch and membership has risen from 15 to 25 within two years.
The Hereford branch was set up by a leading BNP member and convicted terrorist Dr Lambertus Nieuwhof, whose company hosts a number of party websites.
Chase Hotel general manager Colin Parcell was unavailable for comment.
65 Comments
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by Heart of Oak, Worcester
Sunday, November 01 2009, 7:43AM
“BNP = POLITICS OF HATE.”
by TRUE BRIT, Dursley
Saturday, October 31 2009, 6:56PM
“Don't waste a vote on that berk. Did you hear about him threatening to hang those retired Generals.
Reckon Griffin would struggle to hang up his coat!”
by Ken, Chepstow
Saturday, October 31 2009, 4:02PM
“I'd like to vote BNP but Griffin is a very poor advertisment for the party. After all - a teenager in the audience took him apart on Question Time.
And he's got too many skeletons in the cupboard.”
by Takeaway, Cheltenham
Saturday, October 31 2009, 1:56PM
“Joe K, Barton & Tredworth - I'll take your advice. However, I think you may be wrong about he/she joining Gloucester Labour Party - He/She doesnt sound old enough ;)”
by Joe K, Barton & Tredworth
Saturday, October 31 2009, 11:05AM
“' Great points your making! Looks like you have Kit on the back foot :)' -
Takeaway, Cheltenham
I'm trying not to be too mean to Kit. He/she could have a bright future in the Gloucester Labour party, what with having got that Shaun Shute style 'banging on with the same jibe ad nauseum' thing down pat. 'Course, that would be a future with a party in opposition, and not just on the council...
Take 2”
by anon, anon
Saturday, October 31 2009, 8:29AM
“If you ignore Kit she might either go away or make some intelligent, valid and adult comments.
The BNP are a legitimate voted for party and therefore should be treated as such no matter your opinion.
The do not have to put up with people constantly harrassing them or acts of violence against them.
I for one do not like the BNP but I also don't like the fact i am at the back of the queue for everything because i am a white, English born, working person.
At the end of the day they are the only party who are committed on getting rid of ILLEGAL immigrants and closing our overcrouded borders. Fact.”
by Takeaway, Cheltenham
Friday, October 30 2009, 11:30PM
“Kit, Newport - "Only thing that baffles me is why the BNP put up with Nickers - he distracts from policy and it is policies that are the real business of politics. But that's a matter for BNP members - not my problem" - Whoever said it was your problem?
Joe K, Barton & Tredworth - Great points your making! Looks like you have Kit on the back foot :)”
by Kit, Newport
Friday, October 30 2009, 10:59PM
“Joe,
You have fallen victim to an elementary error: mistaking your beliefs for certainties.
Tibbs,
I thought it was an excellent Question Time - the most memorable ever - riveting.
Everyone likes to see politicians getting nailed - Nickers doesn't deserve any special treatment. (Got no time for Straw, thought Baroness Warsi was good though.)
Only thing that baffles me is why the BNP put up with Nickers - he distracts from policy and it is policies that are the real business of politics. But that's a matter for BNP members - not my problem.”
by Tibbs, Gloucester
Friday, October 30 2009, 10:44PM
“Blimey Kit,
Obviously got a soft spot for Nick Griffin! How did you think Jack Straw did, because in all honesty for a senior MP he looked out of his depth as much as your best mate did.
At the end of the day it was a poor Question Time and we were subjected to a horrible sight of our present day MP's trying to make themselves look better against a second rate wannabe. No one came out with any glory and I remain a firm believer that the whole system is sadly decaying. QT just added more support to this and that's why the BNP came out looking better than it should ever had done. The longer we have guffy MP's spouting spin the more secondary parties will gain ground.”
by Joe K, Barton & Tredworth
Friday, October 30 2009, 10:18PM
“I guess holocaust denial 101 isn't very popular with forest activists...
The only two certainties about that episode of Question Time are that Griffin *could* have done worse, and his opponents, along with the programme makers, could have done a lot better. Because of that, the BNP scraped through with a 'moral victory' (something Neil Kinnock used to be very keen on).”