The British National Party came bottom of the poll in the Essex heartland of Thurrock last night. The neo-Nazi outfit trailed in last place in a council byelection held in the Homestead ward, Thurrock. The BNP had high hopes of winning a seat but were trounced by Labour’s Tony Benson. The party led by Nick Griffin came third in another byelection, in the Grays Riverside ward behind the winner, Labour’s Val Cook, and second-placed Sharon Ponder.
Sabby Dhalu, Unite Against Fascism Joint Secretary, said: “This is a great result particularly after a racist hoax leaflet attempting to stir up Islamophobia was distributed in both of the Thurrock wards. The vast majority of people abhor the BNP – a fascist, racist and homophobic organisation that is full of criminal thugs – and this majority made their voice heard.” BNP activists have been blamed for a hoax leaflet purporting to be from the “London East Islamic Movement”, an invented name.