Ex-BNP council candidate is jailed for stockpiling explosive chemicals
A former British National party candidate who stockpiled explosive chemicals and ball-bearings in anticipation of a future civil war was jailed for 2½ years yesterday. Robert Cottage, 49, of Colne, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to possession of the chemicals. He was cleared of conspiracy to cause explosions after two trials in which juries were unable to reach a verdict. As he has spent nearly a year in custody, he is likely to be released within six months.
Dave Williams of the anti-fascist magazine Searchlight, which monitors the BNP, said the sentence appeared lenient. "It is a damning verdict for the BNP," he said. "The trial has shown his radicalisation through his local branch of the BNP. I am surprised the sentence is not stiffer. If this had been a group of Muslims, they would have been looking at a far longer sentence."
Martin Sullivan