BNP policeman sacked over membership

Merseyside Police has sacked a police officer whose name appeared on the BNP membership list.

PC Steve Bettley has been suspended from duty since the publication of the 12,000 strong list last November, and was fired following an investigation by Merseyside Police, which concluded that he had “knowingly been a member of the BNP”.

Officers and police staff are banned from joining or promoting the British National Party (BNP).

Officers are banned from joining or promoting the BNP because it would damage race relations, according to the Association of Chief Police Officers.

A Merseyside Police spokeswoman said: “A police misconduct panel has dismissed constable Steve Battley after concluding he had knowingly been a member of the British National Party from March 2007 to March 2008.”

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Bettley claimed that he was unwittingly enrolled in the party by a family member, and has said that he will appeal against his dismissal.

Merseyside Police’s deputy chief constable Bernard Lawson said: “We have an overriding legal duty to promote race equality and retain public confidence.”