BNP leader Nick Griffin regards the Gurkhas as “mercenaries”

who should be persuaded to return to Nepal; but it is no surprise that other BNP activists have supported the Gurkhas’ right to settle in this country.

In the run-up to the EU elections, and in the light of overwhelming public support for the Gurkhas, it could be electoral suicide to do otherwise.

Backing the Gurkhas is, nevertheless, contrary to the BNP’s constitution, which commits the party to “stemming and reversing the tide of non-white immigration”.

People of all political persuasions have expressed concern about current levels of immigration; only the BNP proposes to limit immigration according to skin colour.

I am aware that former BNP election candidate Trevor Agnew (HAS, May 14) was supported in his campaign by an ex-Gurkha, and that a few others from ethnic minorities have expressed support for the BNP.

These misguided individuals are useful to the party, as they help to deflect accusations of racism. At the time of Mr Agnew’s campaign, one supporter, appealing for donations to BNP funds via the internet, put it this way: “Getting the enemy to help us get rid of the enemy is a great idea.”

Pete Winstanley, Durham.