A community clean-up operation had to be scrapped after it was hijacked by the BNP.

The clean-up of Hendon Beach had been organised as part of a regular joint initiative between the residents and "Back on the Map". But volunteers, including children, were stunned when the project was abandoned after 12 men turned up in fluorescent jackets sporting the logo "BNP Clean Team"
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Today British National Party member Dave Guynan, who is standing for election to the "Back on the Map" board this month, said his clean team just wanted to do something for the community. But Hendon councillors and "Back on the Map" bosses rubbished his claims, saying the BNP saw the event cm as a recruitment drive and free publicity for their extreme,  right-wing views.

Hendon councillor Bryn Sidaway said: "They are a divisive and coercive party and there were obviously just after publicity for their shameful policies and shameful candidates. "They have probably been actively trying to recruit some of the young people who were taking part in the clean-up so there was a double motive for them turning up!

Councillor Thomas Martin added: "It's shocking and terrible trying to take over a community event. "Back on the Map" are trying to create a community where everyone lives together and works together and the BNP's agenda is the exact opposite of that.

But Mr Guynan hit back saying: "If John Prescott (Deputy Prime Minister( had turned up to help, the event would never have been cancelled. Why aren't we given the same treatment when "Back on the Map" are supposed to be politically unbiased?" Jules Preston, chairman of "Back on the Map", added: "It appears the event was used by the BNP for their own party political agenda. "Back on the Map" had no choice but to call off the clean-up after this became apparent. "It is a shame the clean-up had to be cancelled after a lot of hard work by community-minded people, and it is unfortunate the BNP chose to involve themselves in this way just ahead of our elections. Nominees are not allowed to use their party affiliation for their advantage."

I have a long and varied experience in charity work and single-issue campaigns …all of which had constitutions that declared themselves as having no party political affiliation. It is a necessary part of this kind of innovative work that one needs to cooperate with news organisations in order to further the particular cause that you have taken to yourselves. There is nothing wrong in this …it's symbiosis (the press get stories to print about the worthwhile efforts of community-minded individuals).

If I had made all the arrangements for a group of people to clean up Hendon Beach, and got the press coverage we deserved, I have no doubt about how I would have felt if an unexpected and uninvited group of blatant political activists had turned up and attempted to hijack the event from under our noses. The BNP feel aggrieved …why? It's like John McEnroe bawling "Wha'di say? Wha'di do?" …everybody else laughed because they realised how daft the situation was.

If the British National Party have an earnest desire to make a positive difference to life in the community of Hendon, let them do so without the plainly opportunistic cheap shots they are all too fond of. I throw down the gauntlet to Mr Guynan and his fellow BNP Neanderthals …if it is your genuine intent to help clean up Hendon, then choose a clean-up project of your own, make it as party political as you wish and get stuck in …just for once you will have earned the press coverage by doing something more than carping and whining about injustice and playing the victim!"