Police investigate alleged Stourbridge by-election incident

2:25pm Friday 1st February 2013 in News

POLICE are investigating a complaint made by the British National Party after an alleged incident at last night’s Wollaston and Stourbridge Town by-election.

Officers were called out after the count at Stourbridge Town Hall where victorious Labour party candidate Barbara Sykes launched a scathing attack on the BNP during her acceptance speech.

The retired teacher from Oldswinford had polled 847 votes to take the seat in the election which saw Dudley born BNP candidate Ken Griffiths picking up just 96.

But onlookers were left shocked as the newly-elected Labour councillor said she was “sickened” to be in the same room as members of the BNP.

And the victory was swiftly overshadowed after an alleged altercation between political activists sparked a police call out.

Stourbridge Police Inspector Dez Lambert confirmed officers attended the scene after receiving reports of an incident and he said police would be investigating.

Simon Darby, spokesman for the BNP, said on his website this morning: “An official complaint has been lodged with West Midlands Police and Ken will be giving them a further statement later on today.”

Comments(3)

Russell Eden says...
9:26am Sat 2 Feb 13

I was there. I seem to remember the BNP candidate and members behaving impeccably at the count. They were certainly more smartly dressed than I was, and took an active interest in the proceedings. Remove their BNP rosettes and they would have disappeared into the midst of other middle aged men at the count.

The cordiality changed during the victory speech. I didn't know where to look. The winner had no place to say what she did, yet from where I was stood the BNP made no aggressive gestures, unlike the Labour group which descended into a hideously immature rabble, shouting, screaming and gesturing at the small BNP group. They need to grow up.

It was totally unnecessary and uncalled for. The way to beat the BNP is through a democratic voting process. Let them make themselves look stupid by coming last but one. Trying to deny them access to it is on a par with what they stand for in my opinion.

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Starance says...
1:12pm Sat 2 Feb 13

Russell says "Trying to deny them access to it is on a par with what they stand for in my opinion."

Quite ironic. That statement alone describes that Labour are the fascists.

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Wiggyboom1981+1 says...
11:25am Tue 5 Feb 13

I'd like to point out that a similar incident occured at the last local elections of which I was in attendance; involving the Tory councillor Hazel Turner when she won. She stood there and denounced the other candidates, she was ungracious in her tight victory and tbh was down right rude (with the exception of her praise for the BNP candidate). Just thought i'd balance this story before people start going on at the innappropriateness of Labour Councillors when they win when tory ones are just as bad.

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