Police investigate alleged links between BNP and Northampton charity Soldiers Off The Streets
A SERVING soldier who helps to take struggling ex-servicemen off the streets was questioned by police after concerns were raised about his work.
Chris Mounteney, an outreach worker for the Soldiers Off The Street charity in Northampton, said he was quizzed last Thursday before he went out to help the homeless on his night shift.
The 44-year-old said: “I was told to stop my work because they believed the charity was set up by the BNP. It was ludicrous. Soldiers Off The Streets was set up by Bill Murray, who used to be in the BNP, but he has relinquished his support of them. The charity doesn’t have political links.”
The serviceman did however admit the group’s headquarters were rented off a current member of the BNP.
Mr Mounteney, who works as a welfare officer in the TA centre in Clare Street, Northampton, added: “We are a charity and people need our help. If somebody serves their country they should have proper care and, as a charity, we provide that.”
The row was played out through social networking website Facebook over the weekend with Northamptonshire Police issuing the following statement: “We can confirm that a number of concerns were raised to us by partner agencies. To clarify this, a meeting was held with a representative from Soldiers Off The Street.
“We support people’s right to engage with legitimate charities and undertake lawful work on their behalf. We have not instructed anyone to stop working with a charity of their choice and would not seek to prevent them from doing so. We are currently investigating this matter.”
Mr Mounteney said he was later told he could continue his charity work and had the full support of the police.
He added: “There was a sudden change. I’m hoping that now we can all work in partnership to help the homeless.”
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Comments
There are 41 comments to this article
Page 1 of 3
Steven Jones
Sunday, September 18, 2011 at 01:15 PMComment removed by moderator
chris mounteney
Sunday, September 4, 2011 at 05:59 PMThank you for all your support but just for the recorded i am no longer part of this charity it was a massive oversight on my part to get involved with this charity. I walked away in feb after this article was published and just wish i had found out more about the past of memebers of this charity but all i was trying to do was help ex forces who found them self on hard times.
Finker
Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 07:18 PMI believe that a charity cannot have a political purpose or support aims that aren't directly related to their charitable objectives. It would apply to any political party.
NdS
Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 06:36 PMI do not understand this story at all. Are the Police saying that the BNP is an illegal organisation? Or are they saying that the collector was bogus and collecting for himself and just happened to be a member of the BNP? Or was he questioned because his organisation rents a building from someone who is a BNP member? Whatever the answer, as far as I am aware, the BNP is a legitimate political party. You can bet your life that this would not have happened if he were a member of Hizb ut-Tahrir another political party that seeks to overthrow the British Government and create an Islamic Caliphate in our green and pleasant land.
Finker
Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 05:40 PMI hope SOtS can put this behind them and get on with their good work. I also think whoever was trying to stir without foundation needs investigation now.
Finker
Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 05:31 PMNorthants BNP, I was interested by your comment and following a quick scan of the manifesto: how about community award schemes for young people - I believe that was selective and used to garner support; increasing spend on the military - there was plenty of that; taking a hard line on foreigners including repealing the race relations, reviewing citizenship previously awarded, and reinforcing our borders - certainly sounds similar; withdrawing and seperating from the EU - well the relationship certainly changed in that way; believing that Islam is incompatible with our country - they certainly had views about this sort of thing; work not welfare and no benefits to those not originating in this country - seems similar; repealing all legislation that doesn't fit with nationalism... Well that is only up to page 6 of 92 and I don't want to carry on. It may not be overt but I have confirmed my opinion, thanks.
cleverzippy
Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 09:06 AMIf you don't like them don't give them your money. I don't support the BNP, SOTS or Help for Heroes but while the BNP is still a legitimate 'party' then you can't moan about it.
Northants BNP
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 04:57 PMCan anyone give me one example of a BNP policy that belongs in 1930's Germany ? When I say this I mean an actual policy, not some media lie made up about the Party. I think many would be surprised if they bothered to look at the party's policies for themselves.
lady muck
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 02:36 PMwilli e thankyou..an educated man. Presumably the suspicion is that Chris Mounteney might just be some bloke with an army surplus uniform, collecting for himself, although I note he is in fact a serving soldier. Of course, Ryanair is legitimate although libel laws prevent most from giving their true opinions.......
willi eckaslyke
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 01:44 PMlady m...le-git-i-mate (adj)....being in compliance with the law, lawful, in accordance with established or accepted patterns and standards....Examples of legitimate organisations: Barclays Bank, Ryanair, Parliament, Trade Unions, Social Services, NBC, etc, etc, etc.
lady muck
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 12:38 PMI agree about the BNP politics, but our mainstream politicians have created the conditions for it to flourish. Unlike Hitler's Germany, our country is a democracy where all political parties are allowed and if the BNP is outlawed I fear the worst.
BQ
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 08:57 AMThe BNP's racist politics belong back in the Germany of the 1930s where their attitudes should have remained and the posts on this article show that even decent people can be tainted by the slightest association with them.
classy
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 08:54 AMI think it's very clear and apparent who made the initial complaint to the Police, eh farmersboy ?
lady muck
Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 11:36 PMWould somebody please explain what is a 'legitimate' or 'genuine' organisation. As far as I can see, provided that any monies collected are actually used for the organisation's defined aims (eg 'getting soldiers off the streets'), then there can be no problem.
Northants BNP
Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 10:26 PMFarmersboy - if you bothered to read beyond my last post you would have read that there is no link between the BNP and the Charity SOTS. Where the political allegiances of any of the Charities worker's lie should not even be an issue.
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