Radical Right-Wing Party's Info Leaked

The identities of 10,000 radical British National Party members were recently published on a specially-designed web page, revealing personal details including profession. The hack, if you can call it that, could incite violence across the pond -- the BNP represents an all-white, anti-immigrant platform.

News of the publishing led to panic at the British National Party headquarters. According to reports, the web site containing the 10,000 names included a wide variety of members and their professions, ranging from teachers to government officials to police officers. The leak could be particularly harmful to the latter group, given that most police officers are barred from joining the radical right-wing party. (Source: reuters.com)

The British National Party was founded in 1982 and represents xenophobic fears stemming from mass immigration to the region since the end of World War II. According to the BNP official web site, the party and its members fear that "native British people" will represent a minority in the United Kingdom in another sixty years -- unless, of course, immigration is halted, the primary platform of the BNP. The party vows to make a number of radical changes to Britain's legal and political system, including their promise to end a "liberal fixation with the 'rights' of criminals." (Source: org.uk)

With such drastic plans for government, it's understandable that members would fear for their safety if word of their membership leaked to the public.

Surprisingly, the BNP believes a former member may have been responsible for the attack. Simon Darby, a BNP representative, believes a disgruntled outcast probably leaked the information. In April, a High Court injunction was required to prevent one former member from legally publishing details like those recently posted.

In what some might characterize as true BNP fashion, Darby quipped angrily, "If we find out the name of the person who published this list it will turn out to be one of the most foolish things they have done in their life." He added, "I wouldn't want to have done that – I wouldn't be sleeping very well tonight." (Source: timesonline.co.uk)

Most members specifically request anonymity upon joining the party, and anger over the leakage could lead to the resignation of party leader Nick Griffin.

In the 2005 election, the BNP garnered 0.7 per cent of the popular vote. This may not help the next campaign.