Union Councillor on leaked BNP list

The Union Sabbatical Officers are calling for the democratic removal of a Students’ Union Council member who was exposed on the leaked British National Party (BNP) members list this week.

A member of staff at the University of Sheffield was also identified on the list.
Members of representative committees at the Union have united to condemn the Council member and have support from the National Union of Students (NUS).

A joint statement from all eight Sabbatical Officers said: "The BNP are a fascist organisation, who stand for an ‘all-white Britain’, an aim which could only be achieved through violence.

"Their leader has denied the Holocaust, and many of their members have criminal convictions for violent offences.

"They seek to manipulate the democratic process in order to destroy it. There can be no doubt that the BNP are a threat to our diverse, multicultural student community.

"The BNP do not represent the views of Sheffield students. Students would not have elected this individual had he been open about his support of a fascist organisation.

"The Union Officers, supported by numerous members of Council, believe that fascism has no place in our diverse Students’ Union, and this individual should be democratically removed from his position on Council."

The uncovering of the Students’ Union Councillor on the BNP members list comes despite the Union of Students openly opposing the far right party.

The Union has anti-racism and anti-homophobic policies, as well as a Union Statement of Unity urging students to help prevent the BNP from winning seats in the local area.

Yusuf Ghumra, Black Students’ Councillor, is shocked by the revelations.

He said: "The BNP as an organisation represents hate and intolerance, everything that this Union proudly opposes.

"It is alarming to think that they have representation here. This will come as a shock for Black students, particularly Muslims, who have been a primary target of the BNP in recent years.

"Sheffield Union is not a union where students should feel unsafe or have to look over their shoulders as they walk."

A statement from the Union Jewish Society said: "The Jewish Society is deeply concerned by the presence of a BNP member on our Union Council.

"The policies of the BNP directly contravene the tolerant and multicultural society that we would like to see at Sheffield.

"Anyone who subscribes to those beliefs is part of the problem of racism not the solution. We firmly believe that there should be no place for racists and fascists at our university."

The news that a member of the University of Sheffield’s Students’ Union Council was exposed on the list has concerned the NUS.

Bellavia Ribeiro-Addy, NUS Black Students’ Officer, said: "NUS recognises the threat the BNP poses to Black, Jewish, Muslim, Disabled, LGBT and Women students, and all those who believe in democracy and human rights.

"We fully support students’ unions working to ensure fascist organisations are not able to organise on campuses and threaten the safety of students.

"BNP members have a long record of violence and intimidation, including on campuses - a BNP activist was found guilty of assaulting a sabbatical officer at Salford University.

"NUS will be working with students’ unions around the country to counter the threat of BNP activity in students’ unions and ensure campuses are safe for all students."

The leaked lists also showed that a member of staff at the University is a party member. The employee in question is male and holds a non-academic position within the University.

A spokesperson for the University of Sheffield said: "The University is an equal opportunity employer and this is embedded in all our activities.

"We require all our staff to act in accordance with our diversity policies. As a University, we also place a high value on freedom of thought and expression within the law, and on the right of individuals to hold a diverse range of views and beliefs."

The list also showed a student who was living at Tapton Halls of Residence in 2003.

They were among 12,000 people, including police officers, soldiers, and teachers, to have their personal details leaked on an internet blog this week, reportedly by a disgruntled party member.

The BNP have recently been gaining support in South Yorkshire. The party won two seats in May this year at the local elections in Rotherham.

Martha Kelner