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Police Officer Sacked because he was a member of the BNP

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    Police Officer Sacked because he was a member of the BNP

    A police constable whose name appeared on a leaked list of British National Party (BNP) members has been sacked, Merseyside Police said.

    Pc Steve Bettley's name was on a document listing details of 12,000 people which was published online.

    Merseyside Police conducted an investigation into the allegation and concluded he had "knowingly been a member of the BNP".

    Mr Bettley denied being a party member and will appeal against his dismissal.

    Officers and police staff are banned from joining or promoting the BNP.

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/e...de/7956824.stm

    #2
    He still denies being a member of the BNP, although the list shows his whole family. Next to his wife's name it says:
    Activist. {Juvenile's name redacted by NickFitz} (15) YBNP Sup Club. Family: Stephen & {Son's name redacted by NickFitz} Bettley. Under 16s Comps slip. Discretion required re. employment concerns
    Police officer

    so his assertion that he was registered as a member by his wife without his knowledge may in fact be true.

    It doesn't seem that likely though, to be honest

    Comment


      #3
      SErves him right.

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by Lambros View Post
        A police constable whose name appeared on a leaked list of British National Party (BNP) members has been sacked, Merseyside Police said.

        Pc Steve Bettley's name was on a document listing details of 12,000 people which was published online.

        Merseyside Police conducted an investigation into the allegation and concluded he had "knowingly been a member of the BNP".

        Mr Bettley denied being a party member and will appeal against his dismissal.

        Officers and police staff are banned from joining or promoting the BNP.

        http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/e...de/7956824.stm
        If the person is innocent, then I hope they get their job back. However, if the person concerned is an active member of the BNP, then they got what they deserved.
        If your company is the best place to work in, for a mere £500 p/d, you can advertise here.

        Comment


          #5
          [flameproof undies]

          Personally even if he was a member of the BNP he should not have been fired. Though if he joined the police after the "you can't be any of these" employment condition its probably fair enough.

          I don't like the BNP. I don't like what they stand for. But anybody is allowed to hold and share their views [within the confines of what the law allows]. It is simply wrong that one can be told what to think - even if what one does think is distateful to others.

          [/flameproof undies]

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by zeitghost
            "Are you now or have you ever been"...
            Just wonder what Gorby said when he got his US visa.

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by ASB View Post
              [flameproof undies]

              Personally even if he was a member of the BNP he should not have been fired. Though if he joined the police after the "you can't be any of these" employment condition its probably fair enough.

              I don't like the BNP. I don't like what they stand for. But anybody is allowed to hold and share their views [within the confines of what the law allows]. It is simply wrong that one can be told what to think - even if what one does think is distateful to others.

              [/flameproof undies]
              The Race Relations Act changed after Stephen Lawrence inquiry which meant that the contracts of police and other public bodies changed. Acts of Parliament tend to override conditions in employment contracts.

              Some of the amendments include duties on the Police to monitor racial equality, to promote racial equality and to make the Chief Police Officer of a force liable for any discriminatory actions of the employees under him/her.

              Therefore a employee being a member of the BNP, a party who openly promote and support discrimination on the grounds of race, nationality and ethnically origin has views that openly contradict the law.

              And yes the person can think what they want - they are allowed to- but they are not allowed to support or belong to certain parties or organisations if this conflicts with the interests of their job. They also have to keep their mouth shut at work or in a public place if they want to air their discriminatory views.

              Many employers have conditions like this or respectively impose them on staff. As long as the staff member is aware of this and given another time to act (or argue against the change in terms) if their contract is changed then there isn't a problem.

              In this case the law changed in 2000/2001 which is enough time to comply with his new contract terms.
              "You’re just a bad memory who doesn’t know when to go away" JR

              Comment


                #8
                Agreed, it was right to sack him. If someone's ethnic background is going to have such a major impact on his decision making as a law enforcer then he should not be in law enforcement as a police officer.

                Plain and simple.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by SueEllen View Post
                  The Race Relations Act changed after Stephen Lawrence inquiry which meant that the contracts of police and other public bodies changed. Acts of Parliament tend to override conditions in employment contracts.....
                  I hear exactly what you say, and largely agree with it. But isn't the problem that any form of discrimination is legal - except where it is specifically illegal by statute?

                  Is it really impossible to hold views contrary to "normal" beliefs but be unable to put them aside?

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by eliquant View Post
                    Agreed, it was right to sack him. If someone's ethnic background is going to have such a major impact on his decision making as a law enforcer then he should not be in law enforcement as a police officer.

                    Plain and simple.
                    But isn't that the question? Did it actually actually have any impact? There is surely simply an assumption that it would/did

                    Comment

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