Parly brothers signed up to fascists

THE fascist BNP have infiltrated the Scottish Youth Parliament after two of the party's supporters were elected, the News of the World can reveal.

The teens' parly was set up as a non-political organisation where young Scots could debate important issues.

But last night MSYP Josh Mckay admitted he and brother Reuben had been signed up to the BNP along with others in their family.

And Josh said: "I like some of the things the BNP are saying."

But Labour candidate for Glasgow Central Westminster seat Anas Sarwar blasted: "I am shocked and saddened."

And Yousuf Hamid - chair of the Strathclyde University Labour club - warned: "We must challenge and expose them."

The names of Josh and his brother, Reuben, 20, appear on a leaked copy of the far-right BNP's membership list.

Last year Reuben was elected an MSYP for Aberdeen North, while Josh won a seat representing Aberdeen Central.

At his family home in the city - where he lives with his parents, three sisters and three brothers - Josh admitted that he agreed with the majority of the BNP's policies.

Josh said his father, Stuart, has been a "long-term" member of the party.

He said: "My dad was a member of the BNP, my name was on the list as well because I'm over the age of voting. It was the same with my brother."

But he claimed that - despite having been signed up as a member and his name appearing on the BNP's list - he was NOT a member.

He said: "I wasn't a member of the BNP at the time and I'm still not. I wouldn't go as far to say I don't agree with them.

"I was reading a leaflet, and I didn't actually realise it was the BNP, and I thought 'these are actually some good policies, who is this party?'

"A lot of folk have got views on the BNP being racist - I was reading the policies thinking 'well, I don't know why people automatically think the BNP are racist'."

Josh - who has just completed an HNC in Fitness and Exercise - said he did not have to make any party alliance known when he joined the SYP.

He added: "It's down to you whether you tell people or not.

"When the list of BNP members' names came out there were a few people who went around telling everyone. There was a lot of abuse directed at me and my brother."

The 19-year-old added that he had never attended a BNP meeting or rally.

But dismayed Anas Sarwar said: "We shouldn't allow this to reflect badly on the good work of the SYP over so many years to engage young people with the political process.

"But what it does show is that Scotland is not immune to the BNP threat and the rise of extremism that has seen England elect two BNP MEPs."

Yousuf Hamid added: "It is incredibly disappointing to have fascists representing anybody at any level in Scotland. It is absolutely imperative that we continue the proud tradition that Scotland has in fighting racism and bigotry."

The SYP was founded in 1999 and meets at different locations across the country four times a year. Members serve two-year terms.

Last night a parliament spokesman said: "We would have no comment on any political affiliation any member may have. The SYP is a non-party political organisation."

Last month we exposed the BNP's sinister plans to sign up more youngsters by inviting teenagers to weekend training camps where they are taught shooting and party ideology.

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