THE BNP recently distributed 2,000 leaflets in Bishop Auckland describing, under the heading “Genocide”, the alleged desecration of Christian graves “to make way for a mosque in Manchester”.

The gravestones, it says, “are obviously offensive to the Muslim colonisers” and are “being literally crushed to rubble”.

This is a malicious lie. The truth, as reported in the Manchester Evening News, is that permission was granted to convert the church, which had been derelict for many years, into a mosque. It is a Grade II-listed building, and no external alterations were proposed.

During the construction of a car park it was found that some old headstones had been laid to form pathways, and were later covered over. No one knew they were there, and work was stopped for further investigation as soon as they were discovered.

The graveyard itself has been carefully preserved. A spokesman for the mosque is reported as saying: “As Muslims we very strongly believe in the sanctity of mankind. We have never and will never intentionally disrespect or desecrate any grave, regardless of its age and regardless of the caste, creed or religion of the deceased.”

The moral of the story? Never believe anything the BNP tells you.

Pete Winstanley, Durham.