A FAR-RIGHT candidate in the forthcoming European elections has said he fears reprisals following newspaper reports over alleged slurs against Gurkhas.

Adam Walker, who is standing for the BNP, has made a complaint to the police after an election leaflet purportedly from him has been distributed, calling for the removal of all non-serving Gurkhas back to Nepal.

As reported in The Northern Echo yesterday, Mr Walker said that the views contained within the leaflet are at odds with his own.

However, a national newspaper repeated the allegations and Mr Walker, a teacher from Spennymoor, County Durham, has said he will take the matter further.

In a statement posted on the BNP website, Mr Walker, who is currently being investigated by the General Teaching Council over allegations he used a school laptop to contribute racist and religiously intolerant views to online discussions during lessons, has said he intends to make a complaint of incitement to racial hatred.

Last night, Mr Walker, who is also a former soldier and karate instructor, said he had spoken to police about the matter.

He said: “It’s quite hideous what’s occurred. I’ve got a pregnant wife and she’s absolutely distraught. Obviously I’m afraid of repercussions.

“I’ve had police around to discuss security measures.

“I’ve spoken to officers and I’ll also be following it up with a written letter.”

The leaflets also featured a picture of Corporal Kumar Pun, a Gurkha who was killed in Afghanistan earlier this month.

The face of Cpl Pun had been crossed out.

The leaflet claimed that by allowing residency for Gurkhas, the country would be “swamped” by half a million extra people.

It echoed recent statements made by BNP leader Nick Griffin, where he referred to Gurkhas as mercenaries and claimed the country was too overcrowded to allow them and their families residency.

However, in a statement yesterday on the BNP website, Mr Griffin said: “I am already on record in various interviews stating that a BNP government would look far more sympathetically on the plight of the Gurkhas than the current Labour government.”

Last night, a spokesman for Durham Police confirmed that a complaint had been made to officers.

He said: “We are awaiting the written correspondence.

“Officers have also spoken to the person concerned to give security advice.”