THE British National Party has been excluded from a political hustings meeting in Oswestry, because of fears it could provoke trouble.
The National Farmers Union, which is organising the meeting,  says it has “no political preferences”, but BNP candidate, Phil Reddall, is a notable omission from the line-up of North Shropshire candidates invited to speak.
The meeting, to be held tomorrow, Wednesday, at The Pedigree public house, Shrewsbury Road, Oswestry, is billed as what could be  “the only opportunity for Shropshire North to view the candidates.”
Democratic right
However, the organisation appears to be denying the BNP its democratic right to speak, effectively gagging the party candidate despite affirming its apolitical stance. The decision also prevents North Shropshire residents from hearing  what the party has to say.
An NFU spokesperson denied that the decision had been made on political grounds, but rather as a result of past clashes.
“The NFU feels that these sort of clashes do not befit what should be a peaceful occasion, and as such it has opted not to invite the BNP to the event,” the spokesperson said.
BNP candidate, Mr Reddall was disappointed to have been singled out by an organisation that he supports and has  refuted  allegations of previous violence or bad behaviour.
“We are being excluded and it is unfair,” he said. “We should be invited as well as everyone else, it is political persecution.
“The democratic process is touted as being fair and as such anyone should be given their chance to speak. This is absolutely detrimental to the process.
No reason
“I have no idea what clashes that the NFU is referring to. I’ve organised North Shropshire BNP for the last three years and I am not aware of any instances in that respect during my watch.
“There is no reason why I shouldn’t be invited. I am 100 per cent behind the farming community and would have welcomed the chance to attend and put my views across. The BNP is campaigning strongly to put British people first,” he added.
Although the Party has previously stood at local elections in the constituency, this is the first time that it has contested a parliamentary seat in North Shropshire.
While  the BNP have been excluded from the majority of hustings  throughout Shropshire, the organisers of a similar event in Ludlow (Churches Together and Ludlow 21), have  invited BNP candidate, Christina Evans, to represent the party’s voice.
Party press officer, and candidate for Shrewsbury and Atcham, James Whittall, said: “Phil Reddall is an excellent local candidate and would have represented the party and the local people well, had he been invited.
New ideas
“Given the problems facing our farmers and countryside I would imagine that many attending will be annoyed not to have had the opportunity to hear some new ideas. The British National Party is a legal political party and as such expects to be treated in the same fashion as others.
“We are not aware of any past clashes and are somewhat bemused that the organisers are seeking to use this as an excuse.
“It is a clearly a discriminatory and politically motivated decision, and a slap in the face for democracy.”
The 90-minute event will commence at 2.30pm.