Student union apologises over BNP claim (From The Northern Echo)
Send us your pictures, video, news and views by texting NORTHERN ECHO to 80360 or email us
Hot Topics
Darlington FC Administration | Horden Shooting | Durham Tees Valley Airport | Auckland Castle & The Zurbarans |
Wind Farms | Afghanistan
Student union apologises over BNP claim
6:00am Wednesday 10th February 2010 in
A STUDENTS’ union president has apologised after his officers appeared to suggest in a letter that a debate featuring two BNP politicians could lead to violence.
Wes Streeting, president of the National Union of Students (NUS), said the letter was unacceptable, utterly ridiculous and those responsible had been asked to account for their actions.
Mr Streeting was speaking at a meeting of the Durham Union Society (DUS), in the debating chamber, in Palace Green, Durham, last night.
He planned the forum after thousands of students joined an internet campaign protesting against the cancellation of DUS’ multiculturalism debate, planned for Friday.
Durham University Students for Freedom of Speech are furious at the letter sent to the DUS, Durham Students’ Union and Durham University by Bellavia Ribeiro-Addy, the NUS’ black students officer, and Daf Adley, the NUS’ lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender officer.
The letter warned of a “colossal demonstration” if the debate went ahead, with coach loads of students being bussed into Durham.
“If any students are hurt in and around this event, responsibility will lie with you,” they wrote.
Shortly afterwards, the DUS called off the debate on safety grounds.
About 300 students attended last night’s meeting. There were BNP members and police outside. Mr Streeting was verbally abused as he arrived but the event passed peacefully.
Paul Nicholls, from Durham University Students for Freedom of Speech, accused the NUS of bullying.
Mr Streeting said the NUS did not want the BNP to have a platform on university campuses.
But he added: “Had I seen that statement (the letter) before, I would not have left the building. It was an appalling error and ultimately self-defeating.”
He admitted that students were “massively, monumentally” upset at the NUS.
Friday’s debate had been due to feature Kulveer Ranger, an advisor to Boris Johnson, Conservative MP Edward Leigh, BNP MEP Andrew Brons and Chris Beverley, a BNP councillor in Leeds.
Unite Against Fascism had vowed the prevent the debate going ahead.
The BNP said its cancellation meant the enemies of free speech had won the day.
University registrar Carolyn Fowler said: “The university supports the right to freedom of expression on campus in line with its code of practice and we respect the decision of our students to demonstrate peacefully.”
Comments(59)
st-george1
says...
12:26pm Wed 10 Feb 10
Students appear to be the new pawns of political interference in Britain.
Super steve
says...
2:01pm Wed 10 Feb 10
Adam Walker
says...
2:08pm Wed 10 Feb 10
Mark Walker
says...
2:10pm Wed 10 Feb 10
waywoodwind
says...
2:15pm Wed 10 Feb 10
Obviously the UAF are determined to stifle the freedom of speech from those who want to here it
The country is in a moral and financial mess because of this Parliaments open door immigration
So people should have the right to speak and be heard when discussing the future of Britain without the fear and violence from the Brit Haters and UAF
Michael In Witton
says...
3:03pm Wed 10 Feb 10
Dom0
says...
3:52pm Wed 10 Feb 10
I believe the way to tackle the frightening growth of BNP support is through education and reasoned debate, which will show people the true side of the BNPs views.
J.Moffatt
says...
3:59pm Wed 10 Feb 10
simmo3578
says...
4:02pm Wed 10 Feb 10
Mr M
says...
4:31pm Wed 10 Feb 10
Super steve
says...
4:51pm Wed 10 Feb 10
Mr M wrote:Probably much longer than in would if Liebour got re-elected, dont forget the Liebour government has introduced over 70 pieces of legistlation that directly impact on our freedoms and civil liberties.
I wonder how long free speech would last if the BNP ever got into power?
And also please dont forget our masters in the EU tried to introduce laws making criticism and condemnation of the EU a criminal offence.
I respect and admire Durhams students for standing up against the extremists running the students union. Just think though that if the NSU and the Anti Nazis had not threatened the Durham students the event would probably gone ahead peacefully and almost unnoticed.
I also am pretty sure that if BNP members had threatened violence they would be crucified by the media and the left, but because it is the left themselves making threats nothing will happen to the two co authors or the inflamitory letter.
Mark Walker
says...
5:09pm Wed 10 Feb 10
Do you still actually believe the lies and spin about the BNP after this debacle? It's time you began to form your OWN opinions and stop letting this rotten establishment draw you in!
Super steve
says...
5:20pm Wed 10 Feb 10
9988776655
says...
5:47pm Wed 10 Feb 10
The influx solves two "problems" for labour, one they tend to be more labour-leaning and two they fill gaps in the economy (helping to keep the current fouled-up situation of high house prices and low wages, as well as keeping the birth rate up - all of which would have shown up how fouled up Labour's policies are!)
PS Muslims are NOT a race and it's NOT racist to criticise immigration and immigrants.
9988776655
says...
5:50pm Wed 10 Feb 10
Idiots!!! If births had fallen off as they should have done, the government would have had to force house prices back down to a reasonable level (about half what they are).
Senor
says...
7:23pm Wed 10 Feb 10
When questioned he said "Compare the number of Muslim MPs in Parliament in 1997 and the number now".
Immigration has to be controlled but remember all parties except BNP need the Muslim vote.
Labour/Conservative/
Liberal do not mind what religion their members are as long as they get in.
Dom0
says...
7:35pm Wed 10 Feb 10
Sometimes I think we all need to re read some history we covered in school. There are so many parallels between 1930's Germany and our current situation. Lets not turn British Muslims into scapegoats.
The sooner the BNP are given the chance to engage in large scale debates, the sooner they will show themselves as a party whos polocies are half baked crowd pleasers. They want british farms to make MORE food of Higher Quality, using ORGANIC methods. Simples!
On another note, I believe the NUS should campaign on the issue of student finance. I know it doesn't affect current students, but it is an issue current students feel passionately about.
Mark Walker
says...
8:56pm Wed 10 Feb 10
PS
When I was a student we were GIVEN money to go to Uni.
You have much to learn in the university of life my friend!
Adam Walker
says...
10:11pm Wed 10 Feb 10
gideon2000uk
says...
12:20am Thu 11 Feb 10
It is contemptible that a racist party, like the BNP, led by people who deny the Holocaust (as documented by the Frost Report) can be made to look good by an equally loony bunch of ultra left wing students (who do NOT represent Durham students as a whole).
The purpose of the debate was to expose the BNP as being the racist, homophobic, intolerant party that they are.
They will return to having 1-2% of the vote in the forthcoming General election.
They are a fringe group. They are racist, and they should be condemned in an open fashion.
Adam Walker
says...
8:19am Thu 11 Feb 10
You really are disillusioned arent you. I am willing to wager that the 1 or 2% you quote will be far exceeded in the North East. In fact, in some areas we will be into double figures as we hoover up votes from people who are fed up of being used and abused by our political masters. The BNP vote is growing massively and it matters not how many little unwashed, brainwashed scrotes shoult silly little slogans at their pathetic terrorist demonstations our popularity will continue to grow. As was said by a squaddie when we were visiting Catterick "you (the BNP) are the only hope". You really do need to do your homework on BNP policy before spouting out sounbites you have heard from an unreliable source. Do you know anyone who is a member or supporter of the BNP? I bet more people quite close to you than you think secretly agree with our policies.
Oh yes, and there is nothing homophobic about opposing the teaching of homosexuality to 5 year old children. The BNP do not have a problem with homosexuals. Where the problem lies is in the gross unnecessary promotion of it. What two consenting adults do behind closed doors is their business but to have it constantly rammed down our throats by the mass media from a very early age is another. Of course, if you had read our policies you would know this. You say the BNP is "racist". I would argue that it has become common place for the word racist to be used against anyone whos view differs from what is expected and required of them by the establishment. Is a black board a black board or is that racist too? How about poor little Baa Baa Black Sheep? George Orwells 1984 does not get a look in here in modern day Britain. "Those whom the Gods seek to destroy, they first make mad". It is difficult to pass comment, Gideon on something you know very little about! Do your homework and then perhaps you will be more qualified to comment on matters relating to the BNP. By repeating sounbites you are making yourself out to be a fool. There is no crime in formulating your own opinions (yet)!
Super steve
says...
8:53am Thu 11 Feb 10
gideon2000uk wrote:Perhaps during your debate you should include Islam for condemnation as well for being Homophobic, Anti Semitic and utterly intolerant ? Just a thought.
What Durham students were fighting for is the principle of "freedom of speech." It is contemptible that a racist party, like the BNP, led by people who deny the Holocaust (as documented by the Frost Report) can be made to look good by an equally loony bunch of ultra left wing students (who do NOT represent Durham students as a whole). The purpose of the debate was to expose the BNP as being the racist, homophobic, intolerant party that they are. They will return to having 1-2% of the vote in the forthcoming General election. They are a fringe group. They are racist, and they should be condemned in an open fashion.
Pete Winstanley
says...
9:44am Thu 11 Feb 10
According to its constitution, the BNP is “wholly opposed to any form of racial integration between (white) British and non-European peoples” and is committed to “stemming and reversing the tide of non-white immigration.” Note: not immigration in general, but NON-WHITE immigration, and not just “stemming” but “stemming AND REVERSING.” This it proposes to achieve by a system of “voluntary” repatriation with taxpayer support, which would persuade non-whites to return to their “lands of ethnic origin.” During an interview with the Daily Telegraph last May, Nick Griffin was asked what he would do about non-whites whose “land of ethnic origin” was uncertain. He answered: “Drop them out of a plane somewhere over Africa. I don’t really care.” It is also clear that Griffin still dreams of an all-white Britain, and has said that if the BNP ever came to power (no chance of that, fortunately) he would take control of the British media and use it to try to persuade the public that “every last (non-white) must go.”
Mark Walker
says...
9:59am Thu 11 Feb 10
Pete Whinge-stanley, are you the only person in the known universe who is unaware that the BNP constitution is in a constant state of transition? If you join and become a voting member you can suggest some changes for yourself (I do) instead of incessantly twisting about it, it's called democracy.
Pete Winstanley
says...
10:07am Thu 11 Feb 10
Mark Walker
says...
10:11am Thu 11 Feb 10
Hmmmmm, I'll spare the obvious examples!
Mark Walker
says...
10:14am Thu 11 Feb 10
Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM)
Sunday 14th February
Open to all fully paid up members – to debate and vote on the
British National Party’s new constitution. If you do not bring
a current membership card you will not be admitted.
Pete Winstanley
says...
12:44pm Thu 11 Feb 10
I believe there is no proposal to change the constitution’s “political objectives” from which I quoted above. Correct me if I am wrong.
Mark Walker
says...
12:54pm Thu 11 Feb 10
Adam Walker
says...
1:45pm Thu 11 Feb 10
Pete Winstanley
says...
2:13pm Thu 11 Feb 10
Yes, I’m sure the BNP will vote to amend the constitution by allowing non-whites to join. That really should not deflect accusations of racism, because the “political objectives” which I have quoted from (above) remain blatantly racist.
No doubt the BNP will continue to exploit useful idiots like Rajinder Singh, Pat Richardson and Laurence Rustem. As one of your supporters posted on Stormfront, ““Getting the enemy to help us get rid of the enemy is a great idea.”
But these useful idiots are just a few individuals. They do not represent the vast majority of British people, black and white, who reject the BNP’s racist doctrines.
Mark Walker
says...
3:20pm Thu 11 Feb 10
ZZZzzzzzzzzz
speedy
says...
5:26pm Thu 11 Feb 10
The students who invited key BNP figures to their campus are not only naive for viewing them as a normal political party, they were also incredibly irresponsible and were essentially putting their fellow students at risk simply for their race, religion, sexuality or if they were audacious enough to dare opposing these fascist cretins.
History tells us what fascists are like and simply because the BNP says they are in favour of freedom of speech doesn't make it so. To believe them whilst at the same time their members are known to deny the holocaust, stockpile explosives, physically attack people, etc is infantile.
Adam Walker
says...
5:37pm Thu 11 Feb 10
Mark Walker
says...
5:38pm Thu 11 Feb 10
Send skinheads!?!
LMAO!
I think we have established who the violent ones are.
Colin Wood
says...
5:53pm Thu 11 Feb 10
Pete Winstanley wrote:Mr Winlinski the BNP doctrines say you have to be a member to stand in elections so can Mr Winstanley explain why the British National Party are in court for not allowing black members when even you have named people above who are councillors. What a total waste of taxpayers money.
No bile, Adam, just reasoned argument. But once again you demonstrate your inability to engage in rational discussion by resorting to insult and name-calling. Yes, I’m sure the BNP will vote to amend the constitution by allowing non-whites to join. That really should not deflect accusations of racism, because the “political objectives” which I have quoted from (above) remain blatantly racist. No doubt the BNP will continue to exploit useful idiots like Rajinder Singh, Pat Richardson and Laurence Rustem. As one of your supporters posted on Stormfront, ““Getting the enemy to help us get rid of the enemy is a great idea.” But these useful idiots are just a few individuals. They do not represent the vast majority of British people, black and white, who reject the BNP’s racist doctrines.
Adam Walker
says...
6:05pm Thu 11 Feb 10
Pete Winstanley
says...
6:57pm Thu 11 Feb 10
The BNP is now required to change its constitution to allow non-whites to be members. At the moment, it does not, so Rajinder Singh has the wrong colour skin and cannot join, though he has said he would like to join as soon as the constitution changes. Pat Richardson is white, but Jewish; so she’s allowed to be a member. As she explained, “I distinguish between my Jewishness, which is a religion, and my support for the BNP, which is purely political.” In both cases, sharing the BNP’s Islamophobia plays a significant part.
Laurence Rustem is part Turkish, so, according to Julian Leppert, the BNP’s candidate for Mayor of London in 2004, he’s OK because he’s only “half wog.”
Barmy, isn’t it?
Super steve
says...
9:25pm Thu 11 Feb 10
speedy wrote:Well as much as I disagree with the BNP with me now being a convicted UKIP supporter for the next elections, I think I can say with openess and fairness that Speedys letter is a true work of fiction.
The BNP are a violent, fascist political party who don't believe in freedom of speech. For them to turn around and claim they are in favour of it is simply ludicrous. I know from personal experience that the BNP will send skinheads after you if you oppose them and that is exactly what websites like Redwatch are there for. The students who invited key BNP figures to their campus are not only naive for viewing them as a normal political party, they were also incredibly irresponsible and were essentially putting their fellow students at risk simply for their race, religion, sexuality or if they were audacious enough to dare opposing these fascist cretins. History tells us what fascists are like and simply because the BNP says they are in favour of freedom of speech doesn't make it so. To believe them whilst at the same time their members are known to deny the holocaust, stockpile explosives, physically attack people, etc is infantile.
History does indeed clearly show us what fascists are like and the UAF/NUS activities of late clearly show us what fascism at its worst is like.
Adam Walker
says...
10:51pm Thu 11 Feb 10
Pete Winstanley
says...
10:57pm Thu 11 Feb 10
OckendonPaul
says...
11:23pm Thu 11 Feb 10
Good luck Adam
Adam Walker
says...
8:11am Fri 12 Feb 10
It is a very tough job indeed as you can see from this thread but someone has to do it. We are up against some hideously miguided people who care very little that one day in the very near future our country as our forefathers knew it will no longerr exist. The preservation of a race is fine when it is the Maori or Native American Indians but to speak of the preservation of our race makes us racist Nazis. Support is growing and we are getting stronger. One day we will be free from the grip of Europe and we will restore pride again in our people so that they will no longer feel ashamed of who they are!
battersby123
says...
11:14am Fri 12 Feb 10
The BNP should remember that the crux of this debate was a disagreement over how best to fight against you.
Some of us think we should be able to take you to pieces in an intellectual debate.
Others think you shouldn't be allowed to speak at all at such public events, your views being so abhorrent that they don't deserve a platform.
Remember this: either way, both sides find you a racist, homophobic, fascist political grouping. We find your policies on immigration disgusting, and do not accept your historically inaccurate narrative on 'native peoples'.
The sides were in disagreement over how best to tackle you. Over the next weeks and months, you'll see many more students becoming involved in campaigns like Hope Not Hate, and others.
Adam Walker
says...
2:02pm Fri 12 Feb 10
Pete Winstanley
says...
2:13pm Fri 12 Feb 10
Mark Walker
says...
2:37pm Fri 12 Feb 10
Pete, how many skinheads have been sent round to your house? Sorry just another opportunity to blow another lie out the water!
Pete Winstanley
says...
3:43pm Fri 12 Feb 10
Nick Griffin is bright enough to know that such violence is counter-productive, but let’s remember what he wrote in the Rune in 1995:
“The electors of Millwall did not back a post modernist rightist party but what they perceived to be a strong, disciplined organisation with the ability to back up its slogan 'Defend Rights for Whites' with well-directed boots and fists. When the crunch comes, power is the product of force and will, not of rational debate."
Is Griffin now a reformed character? Somehow I doubt it. He is just a more cunning strategist now.
Mark Walker
says...
4:10pm Fri 12 Feb 10
Pete Winstanley
says...
5:10pm Fri 12 Feb 10
Yes, I know that what Griffin said was 15 years ago, but that’s not a very long time! I certainly wouldn’t trust a man who said anything like that, even 15 years ago, especially as he has said nothing since to suggest that he may have had a change of heart. I’m also concerned about the future, and I am determined to ensure that my children and grandchildren do not grow up in a society infected by the racist doctrines of the BNP.
Mark Walker
says...
5:40pm Fri 12 Feb 10
OckendonPaul
says...
6:21pm Fri 12 Feb 10
I see white people living in a fearful minority, ruled by a non-white dominated goverment who won't treat us with the same level of "tolerance" that we fawned upon their forefathers.
Of course Pete will see it differently, but which party does he think will avert this scenario by calling a halt to immigration levels that will inevitably render us a minority? Labour? Tories? Maybe the Lib-Dems?
Over to you Pete.
scuzz
says...
7:14pm Fri 12 Feb 10
OckendonPaul wrote:So Paul, why does it matter whether somebody is black or white? and why would a goverment dominated by non white people be any better than a white dominated government?
I'd be interested to hear from Durham Pete how he sees the demographic make-up of this country in, say, 50 years time. I see white people living in a fearful minority, ruled by a non-white dominated goverment who won't treat us with the same level of "tolerance" that we fawned upon their forefathers. Of course Pete will see it differently, but which party does he think will avert this scenario by calling a halt to immigration levels that will inevitably render us a minority? Labour? Tories? Maybe the Lib-Dems? Over to you Pete.
Plus the majority of immigrants coming to this country are white (Irish, australian, american, eastern europeans) so your fears and your whole post is total missguided nonsense.
OckendonPaul
says...
5:31pm Sat 13 Feb 10
This country is historically white and that is the way it should remain. If skin colour is unimportant to you then you clearly won't object to this.
chrisD2
says...
4:04pm Mon 22 Feb 10
Two things come out of this for me: firstly, Pete Winstanley's comments seem to be a far better informed and far more pleasant than those from BNP supporters.
Secondly, and more importantly, reading the whole debate right through in one go, I sense a slight reduction in hatred in the comments of Walker - perhaps due to the much more reasoned approach that Winstanley had towards him. Perhaps an argument for debate?
Having said that, despite supporting free speech, I would rather not grant free speech to the BNP because, as has been said before, they lost their right to free speech by having policies that seek to deny the rights of others. Those who claim that this is not the case haven't even got free thought, let alone free speech.
Pete Winstanley
says...
2:03pm Tue 23 Feb 10
If we want to have a sensible debate about the successes and failures of multiculturalism, it is neither necessary nor desirable to invite the BNP, which approaches the subject from a blatantly racist standpoint.
Student debating societies which want to arrange debates with neo-Nazis would do well to consider a warning from Denmark. This letter appeared in the Guardian last October:
As Britain debates the BNP's appearance on Question Time, it would be a good idea to learn from developments elsewhere, before it's too late. Here in Denmark, where I have lived for 30 years, we have witnessed the systematic hijacking of a progressive and tolerant culture by the far right dressed in "respectable" sheep's clothing. In 10 years, Denmark has been transformed into a country where racism has become mainstream.
Free speech has protected hate speech, and opponents of censorship have consistently defended the rights of unscrupulous populists and incendiarists. When the media take this line, a very wicked circle is started: the inflammatory accusations of racists become self-fulfilling prophecies, as minorities are increasingly marginalised and excluded. Mainstream political parties, attempting to win back voters from the extreme right, make an endless series of concessions, attempting in vain to demonstrate understanding of the concerns of voters tempted by simple xenophobic policies. But the far right will always have a more extreme policy, and a new provocative proposal, which keeps them permanently centre stage in the media.
The "debate" about immigration – in reality a platform for populist racism – dominates politics, poisons serious dialogue, and guarantees only one thing: racist dominance of the media and the political agenda.
Richard Reynish Copenhagen, Denmark
Mark Walker
says...
2:13pm Tue 23 Feb 10
Adam Walker
says...
12:24am Wed 24 Feb 10
More News stories
- Wife's appeal for missing husband Andrew Goodchild to return to Annfield Plan home
- Hamster apparently fried to death at students' flat
- Whitney Houston dead at 48
- Research suggests more families covering bills
- 50 tonnes of hay destroyed in Station Town barn fire
- Durham Tees Valley Airport saved, but turbulence ahead
- Authority faces court over worker who lost arm in wood chipper
EXPLANATION: National Union of Students president Wes Streeting addresses Durham University students in the debating chamber in Palace Green last night about the cancellation of a debate involving the BNP
Most popular
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Mark Walker says...
10:54am Wed 10 Feb 10
http://www.telegraph
.co.uk/comment/teleg
raph-view/7199457/Th
e-deceit-of-Labours-
immigration-policy.h
tml
And now the Labour party funded UAF prevent us from talking about it through threats of violence. This is a very dangerous situation. I only hope that it has served to expose who the real fascists are - Not the BNP as the weak minded British have been brainwashed to believe!