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BNP man charged with dealing in drugs
A BRITISH National Party (BNP) election candidate has been charged with supplying cocaine and heroin, the Yorkshire Post can reveal today. Rob Waugh
Just two days before the election, Karl Hanson, who is standing in Huddersfield, appeared at Leeds magistrates court yesterday charged with five counts of supplying drugs.
The revelation is likely to deal a blow to electoral hopes of the far-Right party which is hoping to poll well in West Yorkshire.
BNP regional organiser Nick Cass last night reacted with shock at the charges and said Hanson had been immediately suspended from the party.
Labour candidate Barry Sheerman, who is hoping to retain the seat, said he was "disturbed" that someone with serious charges hanging over them would be standing for election.
"If this man has been charged with criminal activities we will have to see what the courts decide."
A regional Conservative Party spokesman said: "We can't discuss this particular case but Conservatives regard drug crimes as totally abhorrent and fully support attempts by the police to stop people who seek to profit from this pernicious trade."
Mr Cass said: "Karl is under suspension immediately from the party. If he is proven guilty, he will be expelled.
"We are completely shocked by the charges – he is the last person we would have expected to be charged with anything like this."
Mr Cass said that Hanson's name would still be on the ballot paper representing the BNP and he hoped voters would vote for the party's principles and not the individual.
After being charged with three counts of supplying cocaine, one of supplying heroin and one of supplying Class A drugs, Hanson was released on bail to reappear at court on May 17.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
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