However, the councillor was absent from council and did not send apologies.
As this was the councillor’s second such absence, a union bye-law meant that he was deemed to have resigned by default.
The no confidence motion was brought collectively by the Union Sabbatical Officers and would have put the councillor’s position on council to a cross-campus referendum.
A vote on the motion was carried out nonetheless and was passed by an overwhelming majority.
However, due to the councillor’s resignation the referendum will not now be carried out.
During the debate at Union Council a handful of councillors opposed the motion.
After the meeting Clyde D’Silva, councillor for the Mechanical Engineering department, said: "I’ve met the individual before and they seemed like an okay person.
"They are representing a department and I don’t think their political views have anything to do with their performance. The individual should have had a chance to respond."
Union President Dave Hurst said: "We have repeatedly attempted to contact this person and have not been able to.
"Whilst the issue of BNP membership is only an accusation, by not utilising their right to reply left us with no other avenue than by letting students decide.
"We felt that it was important for the student body to decide on what should happen.
"I believe the Union has acted in a proactive way to ensure that our students’ best interests were looked after at all times."
Black Students’ Councillor Yusuf Ghumra said: "Obviously I am thrilled that this Union no longer has fascists in positions of influence and authority, and it is a proud moment for our Union when different groups can unite to achieve a higher common goal."
The BNP have condemned the actions of Union Council to attempt to remove the councillor.
Simon Derby, a spokesperson for the BNP, said: "They have acted illegally as using the information is a breach of the Data Protection Act, which effectively is handling stolen goods.
"If the person wanted to make a complaint to the Police or the University authority they would have a very strong case.
"From a political point of view universities have always had a range of political views dominated by the left.
"Now that some so called ‘anti-fascist’ groups want to get rid of individuals who support our party’s viewpoints, they effectively act like fascists themselves."
The list containing the names, addresses and personal details of more than 12,000 alleged BNP members was leaked on an Internet blog two weeks ago.
Subsequently, the authenticity of the list has been challenged.
Forge Press and the Union of Students have repeatedly attempted to contact the Union Councillor involved but the individual was not available for comment.
Andrew Pickering
1 comment:
At the time of the events mentioned here I was NOT a member of the British National Party as my membership had lapsed some time previously. I resigned from Union Council by missing 2 meetings deliberately for the folowing reasons. The University of Sheffield Union of students was in financial difficulties. For me to remain on council would have led to a referendum which I was unlikely to survive, and which would have cost the Union a considerable amount of money they could not afford and could be spent more effectively elsewhere.
As Simon Darby commented it was entirely possible that criminal charges could be brought against the Union Exec, management and council.
However I am neither vindictive or racist so refused at the time to do as I was urged and bring charges. However as the consequences to me of the use and publication of of that list become more serious I may be forced to reconsider my decision.
Brian Thwaites LL.B (Hons)
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