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Fighting against racism and fascism

Council launches enquiry into Homeland conference booking

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Kenny Smith at Remigration conference
Homeland Party boss Kenny Smith addresses the ‘Remigration’ conference

Ashley Baxter, the Leader of South Kesteven District Council released the following statement yesterday announcing an enquiry into how council premises came to be booked by the fascist Homeland Party for its ‘Remigration’ conference on Saturday.

The venue, kept a closely guarded secret by Homeland, was first revealed by Searchlight yesterday morning.

At 9.44 this morning, I received a phone call from an anti-fascist organisation informing me that the Far-Right Homeland Party were about to start a conference at Bourne Corn Exchange.

I immediately asked senior staff at the council to explain how and why such an event had been booked at the venue. No councillors or senior staff were aware, until this morning, that the event was taking place.

Spoken to police

All councillors and council staff receive PREVENT training and should be well-aware of the risks presented by far-right extremists. Furthermore, all council staff should be aware of the heightened political sensitivity during the pre-election period.

No booking should have been allowed from any political party during the weeks before an election. The council’s decision to allow today’s booking requires a full and thorough investigation.

The Deputy Returning Officer, Karen Bradford, has already made preparations for this to start on Monday. She has also, today, spoken to Lincolnshire Police about the event.

Disgusted

Unfortunately, this morning’s revelation of the conference venue did not allow enough time to cancel the booking nor prevent delegates from entering the building.

Therefore, for reasons of public order and public safety, the conference was allowed to proceed.

As Council Leader, I am personally disgusted and embarrassed that the event took place anywhere in South Kesteven.

Ashley Baxter

Leader of South Kesteven District Council

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