A pharmaceutical researcher working at the University of Manchester was listed as an
“activist” in a document leaked on the Internet last week containing the personal details of members
of the British National Party.


Speaking exclusively to Student Direct, the middle-aged scientist told how he had joined the party in
2001. “I joined as I was interested in different political ideas,” he revealed.
No longer a member of the Party, he volunteers from home for the Bryce Group, a research group in
the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.


Now a member of the Conservative Party, the scientist disagreed with the motion passed last week
that the BNP not be given a platform at the Students’ Union: “The more people know the better.
People are frightened because they don’t understand what’s happening.”


Union Anti-Racism Secretary Oliver Worth said: “Working at this University requires interacting
with students from a diverse range of backgrounds and the University should ensure that no one is
hired whose political activities could compromise the multi-ethnic nature of the University.


“This would require not employing active, practising members of the BNP.”
The researcher insisted that neither he nor the Party were racist. “I am the most innocuous person
ever,” he said.


Upset with the number of abusive emails he has received, the scientist was angered by the publication
of the list last week, said to have been carried out by disgruntled former members.


Nick Griffin, leader of the BNP, described the leak as “a disgraceful act of treachery” and has
reported the incident to Police who are investigating.


The list gave the names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of 12,000 of the far-right
party’s members.


The University of Manchester commented: “[This University] does not prohibit its members of staff
or students from joining any lawful political party or organisation.


“The University is a diverse and inclusive community which has very robust policies promoting
equality. It will not tolerate behaviour by any member of staff or student which discriminates against
any other member of the University on the grounds of race.”