Man begins fight to clear name after appearing on BNP list

Dec 1 2008 by Paula Owens, Liverpool Daily Post

A MERSEYSIDE man says he wants to clear his name after being included in a list of BNP members published on the internet.

Jayson Carmichael, 46, from Southport, also fears he could be shunned at college.

He believes his future career could be affected after reading how Merseyside Police has suspended Wirral police officer Steve Bettley from duty for being included on the list.

Mr Carmichael says he became tempted to join the British National Party after becoming disenchanted with the main three political parties.

But, after attending a number of meetings, Mr Carmichael, a full-time carer who is hoping to train as a nurse next year, decided he no longer wanted to be associated with the right-wing party.

His BNP membership lasted from April, 2006, until the end of that year – just eight months – as he decided not to renew it in January, 2007.

In November, Merseyside Police suspended PC Steve Bettley, who lives in Wirral, for being included on the BNP list. He is currently being investigated by the force.

Mr Carmichael, who looks after his wheelchair-bound wife, Jacqueline, told the Daily Post: “I was horrified when I found out my name was on the BNP list.

“I want to clear my name and don’t want to be identified with the party.

“I was at a low ebb when I joined and had lost faith in the main parties mainly because I didn’t think any of them were doing enough to improve carers’ rights.

“The BNP had a small following in Southport and I thought I was being broad-minded when I decided to take a look. I thought maybe I could drum up support for carers’ issues in the party.”