A bishop has led calls for electors to shun British National Party (BNP) candidates standing in council elections on May 2.
The Right Reverend John Packer, Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, has issued his call to parishes in the May edition of the Ripon and Leeds Diocesan newsletter.
Bishop Packer said claims of the BNP should fill Christians, members of faith communities and people of goodwill with alarm. He said the party was deliberately placing candidates in areas of recent racist violence or potential tensions.
Bishop Packer said: "When those who seek office do so by misrepresentation of history, playing on fears and racist xenophobia and targeting the vulnerable, then the democratic privilege is abused."
Bishop Packer's "election warning" has been backed by other Christian leaders. His diocesan racial officer the Rev Douglas Emmott said it was important voters understand the real BNP agenda.
He said they should not be deceived by the BNP, which was careful to present itself as respectable and law-abiding.
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