Farright and so wrong

Ex-members of hate group get green light to run party in election race

- MARK MCGIVERN

A FURIOUS backlash erupted after a Scots-based far-right group was given official approval to stand for parliament by-election bosses.

The storm blew up over the granting of official political party status to the extremist Homeland group, which lists its official HQ in Kirknewton, West Lothian.

The Homeland Party was formed as a splinter organisation from the extremist Patriotic Alternative (PA) group which has been denied political party status seven times.

Anti-fascist campaigners are outraged at the decision on Homeland, led by former PA senior official and BNP election candidate Kenny Smith, from Skye.

The party's nomination officer in the party application was Anthony Burrows a bigot from the Midlands who has promoted Adolf Hitler online.

Applications to the Electoral Commission for party status must pass strict vetting to ensure members will not be in breach of UK equality laws.

One local activist in West Lothian said: "We have been watching Homeland turn its focus on West Lothian and I'm amazed and pretty furious that the Electoral Commission has rubber stamped their status.

"Anyone can see Homeland is a collection of people who broke away from Patriotic Alternative. Homeland's leader is a former candidate for the BNP, which speaks volumes.