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Author: Nick Lowles | Date: November 2006
The facts should speak for themselves. Two men were arrested last month with an array of bomb-making components and weapons. A rocket launcher was found, though some reports indicate more than one, as was a biological suit and chemicals that could be used to make bombs.
Surely this warranted front-page news?
Actually no. In fact, not a single national newspaper or TV station carried a report the following day despite Lancashire Police issuing a statement claiming that it was the largest bomb-making hoard ever discovered in a British home.
There have been a couple of short articles since then but even at a police press briefing only three national newspapers were represented.
Given the state of alert over the “war on terror” it seems inconceivable that this story was overlooked. Why? It is simple. The two arrested men were white not Asian. And most depressingly the newspapers were preoccupied with the debate over the veil.
The media blackout is more startling given that the two men were British National Party members and one had even stood for the fascist party in May’s local elections.
Compare the lack of coverage after this incident to numerous “alleged” terror plots involving Muslims in recent years, many of which turn out to be completely unfounded.
This case reveals an uncomfortable truth, namely that racial stereotyping exists within the media and the police. Lancashire Police were quick to dismiss a terrorist link to the arrests. Quite what the two men planned to do with this alleged arsenal will no doubt emerge in a subsequent court case. However the fact remains that once again possible nazi or racist terrorism is dismissed. We had it with Combat 18 in the early 1990s. We have had it with Redwatch more recently. We have had it on numerous occasions with BNP members over the years.
In the eyes of the authorities, and now with possible collusion from the media, potential fascist and racist violence is downplayed. Because they are not Muslim they cannot be terrorists.
For those readers who do not know the facts, here they are, to the extent that we are allowed to report them with prejudicing any legal action.
On the morning of Thursday 5 October, Robert Cottage, 49, of Talbot Street, Colne, and David Jackson, 62, a retired dentist, of Trent Road, Nelson, were arrested and later charged under the Explosives Substances Act 1883.
At Cottage’s house, some 22 chemical components were discovered. Cottage had been a BNP candidate in Pendle’s Vivary Bridge ward in the local elections in May. His house was taped off while forensics officers searched the premises. Neighbours were told to stay in their homes for their own safety. Mr Cottage’s car was also taken away for examination. At Jackson’s house, a rocket launcher, BNP material and a biological suit were found.
A lawyer for the prosecution even claimed that the two men had “some kind of master plan”.
The BNP was quick to distance itself from Cottage, falsely claiming that he was no longer a party member. While Searchlight is unable to reveal more information at this stage we are confident that the BNP’s lies and cover-up will return to haunt the party after the trial.
This find is given added significance in view of the fact that Nick Griffin and Mark Collett return to Leeds Crown Court on 30 October to deny charges of incitement to racial hatred. In the first trial they claimed that the BNP was not a violent or racist organisation.
It will be the duty of every anti-fascist to watch the case of Cottage and Jackson and in the event of their conviction to pressure the media to take an interest.
© Searchlight Magazine 2006