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Arrests during Blackpool BNP rally
THREE men and a teenage boy were arrested amid ugly scenes during a protest against the British National Party in Blackpool.
Police acted after reports a group of people were goading protesters outside the New Kimberley Hotel by performing Nazi salutes.
A 16-year-old and a 22-year-old from Widnes, a 21-yearold from the Wirral and a 41- year-old man from Leigh were arrested for inciting racial hatred. They were put into a waiting police van and taken into custody.
The protest, organised by Unite Against Fascism, was otherwise peaceful.
Police said there was no evidence those arrested were part of the BNP who were meeting inside the South Promenade hotel for a "victory" rally following the controversial right wing party's recent success at the European Parliament elections.
Party members were socialising inside as the arrests were made.
Nick Griffin, BNP leader, and now MEP for the North West, moved to distance his members from the skirmish outside.
He said: "Anyone making Nazi salutes are absolutely nothing to do with us and they are probably either far left party activists or possibly just some football lads looking to cause some problems with a few students.
"We come here to Blackpool and we held our conference here. We've got the curtains shut and people wouldn't even know we were here if it wasn't for the protesters so it is them causing any disturbance."
Around 100 protesters gathered outside the New Kimberley to call on the crowds to "fight back" against the BNP's policies.
Weyman Bennett, Joint National Secretary of UAF, said: "The overwhelming majority of people voted against the BNP in the Euro elections and we're here to give those people a voice against fascism."
Pete Marsden, from Blackpool's branch of Unison, who spoke out at the UAF demonstration, said: "We have to challenge the racists and fascists. Let's make Blackpool no to the BNP."
Saturday's protest lasted around two hours and a Lancashire Police spokeswoman said it had passed off "without major incident" despite the arrests.
At least 50 police officers, wearing high visibility uniforms, were at the scene and were seen taking photographs of proceedings.
The spokeswoman said: "The four males were arrested under the Public Order Act on suspicion of racially aggravated offences.
"It is not believed the four are associated with the UAF or the BNP in any way."
A 21-year-old man from Wirral has been charged with racially aggravated harassment and was due to appear before Blackpool Magistrates today.
Three other people have been charged with the same offence and will appear before magistrates on July 3.
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Weather for Blackpool
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy sleet
Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: South east
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Cloudy
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