BNP activists granted legal aid to sue South Wales police

A group of British National Party activists arrested while delivering leaflets have been granted legal aid to sue police over claims of false imprisonment.

Five men were arrested and held for 13 hours in Swansea in May 2006 while delivering leaflets for the far-right party.

Now, at least one of the men is to seek compensation from South Wales Police for the trauma they claim they went through – and have received legal aid to do so.

The men, who have not been named, were arrested and bailed on suspicion of committing public order offences on May 14, 2006, while campaigning in the Bonymaen area of the city.No charges were brought.

The leaflet was headed “If only I could seek asylum”. It contrasted the income of an elderly woman with support the BNP claimed asylum seekers were being “secretly” given by the Government, including receiving TVs and having their windows cleaned.

BNP Deputy Leader Simon Darby confirmed that legal action was being taken by party members.

He said: “There were five of our chaps leafleting in Swansea, as they had been doing for a number of weeks.

“They were arrested and held in custody for a considerable period of time.

“Normally they have a look at the leaflet, check it and maybe take names and addresses. In this case they were arrested.

“Obviously, they were not very happy about it. They were asking all kinds of questions about our movements in South Wales.

“Certainly there are good grounds for compensation.”

But Dominic MacAskill of Searchlight Cymru hit out at activists from the far-right party being given legal aid.

“We sincerely hope that no taxpayers’ money will be provided to a member of this organisation to take action against the police,” he said.

The BNP are targeting Swansea – along with Wrexham – as one of their key councils in May’s local government elections.

A South Wales Police spokeswoman said the force would make no comment about litigation issues.