BNP "NO PROBLEM" FOR BURLINGTON

23-04-2008

Birmingham’s Burlington Hotel which hosted a bizarre re-creation of Enoch Powell’s “Rivers Of Blood” speech by the BNP on Sunday has said it would have “no problem” with hosting the far-right party again in future.

The startling admission was made by manager Nigel Green, when we quizzed him about the curious event which marked the 40th anniversary of Powell’s notorious anti-immigration rant at the same venue – albeit in its previous guise as the Midland Hotel.

As we reported on Monday, BNP member Peter Mullins recited the speech in its entirety – shortly after a multi-ethnic gathering heard an address by Sir Trevor Philips, chair of the Commission for Equalities and Human Rights (see link here).

We asked Green if the Burlington had known the booking was for the British National Party – especially as one poster on The Stirrer Forum has claimed it was made by the party’s regional organiser Simon Darby in his own name.

Green said: “My board had a discussion, and they made a blanket decision not to comment on events which happened 40 years ago.”

When it was pointed out that we were talking about recent events that took place only a few days ago, he again stalled until a blunt question was put to him – “Would you allow a booking by the BNP in future?”

His reply: “I can’t see why not. As long as it’s paid for, a booking is a booking”.

It is, of course, a point of view, and The Stirrer would be the last to suggest that freedom of speech should not be allowed - even for a racist party that advocates repatriation of non-whites and treating those who remain as second class citizens.

But it’s a moot point whether that freedom extends to willingly accepting money from the BNP and giving a stage to their meetings – especially in a venue which has a multi-racial workforce and where guests from a range of backgrounds would undoubtedly find their views offensive.

Should the Burlington accept the BNP’s money? Would you be happy to visit the hotel, and it’s popular bar and restaurant, knowing that it is BNP-friendly? Leave a comment on The Stirrer Forum.