BNP cancels event after match row. - 22nd Feb 2009 6:34pm
The British National Party has cancelled an event in Liverpool which police said forced them to postpone Everton's match against Stoke.
The Premier League fixture was due to take place at Goodison on Saturday, 14 March, but was switched to Sunday.
Merseyside Police feared it would not have enough officers to police the match and a BNP leafleting event.
Deputy BNP leader Simon Darby told the BBC: "It's the right thing to do.
"It's an unholy political row and football is going to be the loser here, so I don't see why Everton and Stoke fans should be inconvenienced.
"And if the police can cancel these fixtures as they seem to do at the drop of a hat, then they can rearrange it now."
Merseyside Police had apologised to fans for getting the fixture rearranged, saying the decision was taken for operational reasons.
Reacting to the BNP announcement, Dep Ch Con Bernard Lawson said: "Merseyside Police is awaiting formal notification from the BNP as to their decision to cancel their event in Liverpool city centre on March 14."
"Merseyside Police has, and always will, remain neutral on such matters.
"Our role is to facilitate lawful marches whilst ensuring that the safety of the public of Merseyside remains paramount.
"We will discuss with Everton Football Club any alterations that may be requested for the Everton versus Stoke City fixture."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/7904361.stm
The Premier League fixture was due to take place at Goodison on Saturday, 14 March, but was switched to Sunday.
Merseyside Police feared it would not have enough officers to police the match and a BNP leafleting event.
Deputy BNP leader Simon Darby told the BBC: "It's the right thing to do.
"It's an unholy political row and football is going to be the loser here, so I don't see why Everton and Stoke fans should be inconvenienced.
"And if the police can cancel these fixtures as they seem to do at the drop of a hat, then they can rearrange it now."
Merseyside Police had apologised to fans for getting the fixture rearranged, saying the decision was taken for operational reasons.
Reacting to the BNP announcement, Dep Ch Con Bernard Lawson said: "Merseyside Police is awaiting formal notification from the BNP as to their decision to cancel their event in Liverpool city centre on March 14."
"Merseyside Police has, and always will, remain neutral on such matters.
"Our role is to facilitate lawful marches whilst ensuring that the safety of the public of Merseyside remains paramount.
"We will discuss with Everton Football Club any alterations that may be requested for the Everton versus Stoke City fixture."
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