THE far-right British National Party (BNP) claims it is winning support in Buntingford — despite its members' involvement in a vicious racist attack in the town.

The announcement that the BNP has formed an East Herts group and intends to target Buntingford met with scorn this week.

While an Asian town councillor said the BNP should be allowed to campaign for reasons of free speech, Buntingford mayor Cllr John Noades said that the BNP campaigning in the town would be an "unwelcome intrusion".

"It is a free country and they can't be stopped from giving their opinions, but they are well known as a party that stirs up trouble and that would not be welcome here," said Cllr Noades.

Concerns over a rise in racism have increased since the BNP made gains in local elections, including Broxbourne and Epping Forest, earlier this year.

Steve Johnson, a member of the recently-formed East Herts BNP group, said the party was looking for support and electoral success in Buntingford, as well as Bishop's Stortford, Hertford, Ware and Sawbridgeworth.

He said market towns in Hertfordshire were becoming "London offshoots" and vowed that the BNP would "shut the door" on all further immigration.

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http://www.herts-essex-news.co.uk/ne...2006/09/01/let the bnp campaign.lpf