Wirral hotel bosses tricked into hosting BNP and European fascist event

4:18pm Wednesday 25th July 2012 in News Exclusive By Stephanie Cureton

A TOP Wirral hotel says it was “tricked” into hosting an event for far-right activists.

Thornton Hall Hotel and Spa said bosses did not know leading members of the BNP and the French National Front party were among those attending a conference there on Tuesday.

They said that by the time the guests’ identities were revealed it was too late to cancel the booking.

The hotel’s comments come after anti-fascist group Hope Not Hate campaigned against the event via Facebook, while some took to Twitter to vent their anger.

Chester and Cheshire West Labour councillor Ben Powell tweeted: “Saddened that Nick Griffin and his fascist pals from across Europe are gathered at Thornton Hall Hotel on the Wirral.”

However a hotel spokeswoman said staff did not know the booking, which was made on behalf of the European Social Political and Economic Research Establishment, would involve members of the BNP and fascist parties.

The spokeswoman said: “The conference facilities at Thornton Hall Hotel and Spa are widely used by a vast range of organisations including political parties and Members of the European Parliament.

"On this occasion, we received a booking on behalf of the European Social Political and Economic Research Establishment.

“The identities of the delegates were not revealed to us until the guests arrived on the day, at which stage we were bound by a contractual arrangement. 

“We have a strong duty of care to our guests, staff and the local community and we ensured that the event caused no disruption.

“Thornton Hall Hotel would never knowingly allow an event of this nature to take place and we regret any offence or distress caused or taken by the presence of this conference.”

Comments(18)

sandals_wearer says...
4:37pm Wed 25 Jul 12

Just Googled " European Social Political and Economic Research Establishment". This article is the only hit!

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PaulCa says...
4:41pm Wed 25 Jul 12

If "filthy lucre" is what drives the hotel management - a safe conclusion - I'd suggest they breach this contract NOW, because they could lose a hell of a lot more if they don't and if this is then publicised more widely.

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David3007 says...
5:11pm Wed 25 Jul 12

I am suprised that the hotel did not pull the booking once they found out. Having previously worked for some big hitters in the hotel industry, it was clearly stated in contracts that we had the right to cancel the event if it would damage the reputation of the hotel. Question is - would holding a BNP conference damage your reputation? I know the answer!!!

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Nationalist Media Network says...
5:35pm Wed 25 Jul 12

Great venue, great day and evening. Heared great speeches and made plenty of contacts. Thank You Thorton Hall Hotel !

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steady cyclist says...
7:15pm Wed 25 Jul 12

obviously they paid their bills and helped keep local staff employed and get a wage.

a storm in a wine glass it appears.

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sks says...
11:29pm Wed 25 Jul 12

i was staying at this wonderful hotel and i did see this delegation and mr griffin mep they looked like a load of ordinary people, nothing like the robbing lying scum politicians that have sent our country bankrupt.
its obviously the far left trying to intimidate the hotel and stop democracy
at work.

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BRITISHLADY007 says...
12:35am Thu 26 Jul 12

If loving your country and are staunchly patriotic means your a racist then MILLIONS of people up and down the country are guilty including myself.
People who disagree with opinion and then brand you racist are without there own knowledge are branding them self a fascist !

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Dr Stuart H Russell says...
8:31am Thu 26 Jul 12

Did a hotel spokeswomen really say “Thornton Hall Hotel would never knowingly allow an event of this nature to take place"? If so, why? The people in attendance were perfectly well behaved and civilized, and the gala dinner passed without the slightest discord (how many hotel celebrations can claim that?). Nick Griffin, unlike Chester and Cheshire West Labour councillor Ben Powell, had already been elected to the European Parliament by people of the region, and Mr Powell is quite incorrect in describing the guests as "fascist" - but then, Labourites, Socialists and Communists are forced to rely on untruths and ad hominem attacks instead of logical debate.

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Ben Beaconsfield says...
10:41am Thu 26 Jul 12

For as long as this country remains free, the BNP - just like any other political grouping - has a right to organise. They do not, however, have a right to deceive.

I have said this many times before and will repeat in now: the way to defeat these repugnant individuals is with argument, not by banning them.

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Dr Stuart H Russell says...
10:47am Thu 26 Jul 12

A response to Ben Beaconsfield - the BNP do not deceive anyone, unlike their leftist opponents in trade unions, UAF etc who rely on ad hominem attacks, "no platform" policies, exclusion and threats to hotel proprietors instead of debating facts. The BNP are the honest politicians.

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Dantealighieri says...
12:06pm Thu 26 Jul 12

Ben Beaconsfield-'They (BNP) do not, however, have a right to deceive'. Is this a condition imposed by yourself on just the BNP, or does it apply to other political parties? If so, casting your vote must be a nightmare.

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bigfoot says...
2:50pm Thu 26 Jul 12

The BNP,EDL and other right wing groups have hijacked our Nations flag,so now whenever I try to fly it on special occasions I am branded a fascist. Other nations are proud of their flag and fly it all the time. Not just the USA,but our European cousins in France,Denmark and Sweden to name a few.
The far left ARE as bad as the right,they have had more influence on our language and lifestyle Political Correctness has destroyed our work and leisure. When they meet where are the protests then?

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Dr Stuart H Russell says...
3:15pm Thu 26 Jul 12

Message to bigfoot - it was the mass media and race relations industry, not the BNP, who told everyone that our flag was "racist" and "fascist", not the BNP. It was the BNP who rescued the flag and looked after it. It's our British flag.

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Mr Bollo says...
3:15pm Thu 26 Jul 12

That's twice you've said 'ad hominem' now 'Dr' Russell. I know you probably think that makes you sound really clever or something, but actually it just makes you sound rather pretentious. And I'm sure the BNP are really honest. After all, you're a Doctor, why wouldn't we believe you?

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ordinary personn says...
4:51pm Thu 26 Jul 12

I'd have thought that somebody who uses ad hominem would realise that incorrect is an absolute, therefore, should not be qualified.

Just so I can locate it on ETHOS. Dr Russell - what is your thesis title, and where and when did you obtain it? BTW how's the firework trade faring during the recession?

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spamfiend says...
7:15am Sat 28 Jul 12

I know some latin (okay I saw it on the old Birkenhead and Tranmere logo's) -

UBI FIDES IBI LUX ET ROBUR

Can I be a Doctor now please

Dr. Spamfiend - oooh sounds nice, might just book a weekend in a local hotel

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bickyboy says...
7:07pm Sun 29 Jul 12

The BNP ceased to be relevant to the British political scene following Nick Griffin's disastrous appearance on Question Time a couple of years ago. He could have stood by his views, racist or otherwise: but instead he tried to lie about them to ingratiate himself to a hostile audience and panel.
Let the BNP stay wherever they will; they can't fool anyone but themselves that they are still a force in politics.

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yogz66 says...
1:09am Mon 30 Jul 12

Dr Stuart H Russell wrote:
A response to Ben Beaconsfield - the BNP do not deceive anyone, unlike their leftist opponents in trade unions, UAF etc who rely on ad hominem attacks, "no platform" policies, exclusion and threats to hotel proprietors instead of debating facts. The BNP are the honest politicians.
they don't decieve?

on a poster extolling the virtues of britain, and all things british, against the evil this is non-british, failed to spot the spitfire they used as a 'british' image was that of one from a polish flight, and had the polish markings on it.

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