Prentis: Spreading lies "a BNP hallmark"

A senior union leader has warned against the spread of racism in Scotland.

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis was set to tell the Scottish TUC conference in Dundee that the election is providing a platform for far right parties such as the BNP.

Prentis is pressing for new laws to allow unions to expel extremist members who might use their position to "spread their lies at work".

Speaking in a debate on "tackling racism and fascism", he was expected to say: "Spreading fear and lies is the hallmark of the BNP and far right parties, and we must be on guard to ensure they never get a foothold in Scotland. 

"The British National Party has two candidates in the general election in Scotland. Their choice of seats reflects their plans to spread fear and hatred in Scottish communities.

"Scott McLean, vice chair of the BNP, is standing in Glasgow Northeast - an area where many asylum seekers were housed. Glasgow Central is another target with Glasgow BNP organiser Walter Hamilton standing.

"This area has been targeted because a young white man was murdered in a racist attack there last year and because it has a relatively high number of ethnic minority residents."

He will also hit out at other, more mainstream, parties who are using issues such as immigration and asylum to win votes.

"UKIP and Veritas are both using lies about floods of immigrants filling up Britain to gain votes," the union chief says.

"These so-called respectable parties must also be challenged when they use lies and half-truths to gain votes.

"And what about the Tories? We have already seen Michael Howard playing the tired old Tory race card, whipping up hysteria against asylum seekers and saying it's all right because he was one once himself.

"He's going to set a quota and when it's met, no matter how deserving your case, it's tough."