This is a document that was distributed in 1992. Today we have more efficient methods of distribution. The next part(s) will appear ASAP.

27th.November 1992

1992 General Election & Local Elections
Extremist Examples of Democracy in Rochdale

Part 4 ...................................................................................

General Election 1992 and attempts to hire a Public Hall in Rochdale

As you will know, it is explicit in the Representation of the Peoples Act, local authorities must make arrangements so that duly nominated candidates are able to avail themselves of a school or other suitable place, (in this instance a compromise venue of Greenbank school was agreed) in order to hold a meeting. The Chief Executive John Pierce was threatened with the 'sack'  after holding out as long as he could, to try and deny the BNP candidate his normal democratic rights. In the aftermath, Sir Cyril Smith and the Home Office Minister Ann Widdecombe, had to come out in support of Mr. Pierce, in the press who in the face of a sustained campaign from the, at the time, the Labour groups verbal attacks which included attempts to have John Pierce 'sacked'.

This is the background to Mr. Ken Henderson, the BNP Parliamentary duly nominated candidates attempt to hire a council hall.

Mr. Pierce 'flouted' the law by denying him from exercising his right under the Representation of the People's Act. When Mr. Henderson having his patience exhausted again, Mr. Pierce refused to meet Mr Henderson, or to answer his phone calls or letters. He had no other recourse, apart from the Law. Surely here, the individual would be protected from Town Hall bureaucracy and high-handedness ?

High Court attempts to force Mr.Pierce and Rochdale Council to abide by the Representation of the People Act 

On the 2nd April 1992 Mr. Ken Henderson applied to an High Court Judge in chambers in Manchester, for a Court injunction to force Mr. Pierce and Rochdale council, to abide by the Representation of the People Act. In effect, to make available to Mr. Henderson suitable premises to have a Public meeting, explicit under that Act.

Initially, Mr. Justice McKinnon explained that he had never heard of the British National Party. He asked that a letter from Mr. Henderson containing specific questions to Mr. Pierce, be delivered to him. Justice McKinnon was so incensed of this blatant denial of the law, that he told Mr. Henderson that he was prepared to halt temporarily, a rape case that he was sitting on, so that an injunction could be made. Another audience with Justice McKinnon was arranged so that any reply from Mr. Pierce would be heard.

This letter was delivered , by hand, at 12.30pm that same day. Initially, the Town Hall reception staff thought it was a 'High Court writ'. As did the then Council leader Labours 'Militant Tendency' Cllr Richard Farnell. Of course, John Pierce was not available. An hour later, his poor wretched secretary came down to say after contacting Mr. Pierce on his phone, that he would not accept any letter from Mr. Henderson !  At 2.30pm a lady who identified herself as the Town Hall Manager , asked Mr. Henderson to leave the Town Hall, even though we had a letter with specific questions from a High Court Judge for Mr. Pierce !

Mr. Henderson then returned to Manchester Crown Court  to see again Mr. Justice McKinnon , who had broken into a rape trial case to hear him. After earlier stating that he had never heard of the BNP in the morning. Justice McKinnon stated in chambers  ".......that this case has caused enough trouble already" !!!

He further advised us to contact the 'Secretary of State', to force Mr. Pierce to abide by the Representation of the Peoples Act.

This in our view, was a gross 'Dereliction of Duty' by an High Court Judge  -  Mr. Justice McKinnon.

Further, while a General Election is in progress, there are no MP's or indeed 'Secretaries of State' - only the 'Privy Council'.

Therefore Rochdale's then Chief Executive Mr. Pierce kept himself in his very highly paid position, and himself in employment. Even though Labour got decimated in those local elections and power shifted to a Lib Dem/Tory alliance on Rochdale Council. 

Note: It was quite noticeable that apart from the free newspaper the Rochdale Express, not one other medium mentioned this disgraceful denial of democratic rights. (Rochdale Express was then a weekly subsidiary of the Rochdale Observer newspaper, but under different editorial staff).

===============================================

The next TWO parts will be uploaded as soon as we are able. The original copy of this report is over 30+ years old, and in poor condition. But we feel it important to highlight that this 'TWO TIER' system we live under, has been ongoing for many decades. It is NOT new !