WELL done for your editorial standing up to the racist bullies of the British National Party (October 15). A number of leading BNP members have convictions for violence and many are even suspected to have links to far-right terrorist groups.

And of course they call for a "holy war" between the West and Islam, which is just what Osama bin Laden wants too. I don't believe the people of York will fall for their lies.

But I have got to say that the current military action is not helping. By launching air strikes against Afghan civilians, and claiming that this is part of the "war on terrorism", aren't our leaders themselves blurring the distinction between terrorists and innocent Muslims?

When they talk of broadening the war to other Arab states, doesn't this spill into the BNP/Bin Laden agenda?

War and racism go hand in hand. Let's resist the extremists and oppose both.

Ben Drake,

Danum Road, Fulford, York.

...AT last the Evening Press has woken up to the danger represented by the BNP (October 15). This is a party built on whipping up racism and bigotry, led by a man who claims the death toll associated with the Jewish holocaust is a fabrication. The same BNP who were glad to have as a member David Copeland, the Nazi terrorist bomber, responsible for the atrocities in London a few years ago.

Such a shame then that these facts seemed to carry no weight when your paper ran a front page story a few months ago condemning those responsible for fly posting information on the Anti-Nazi carnival to be held as a focus for uniting people opposed to racism (August 3).

Making comparisons between those who stir up racial hatred and those who wish to actively oppose them, as you did at the time, shows a lack of understanding of the best way to beat the bigots.

P D Dunn,

Southolme Drive,

Rawcliffe, York.

Updated: 10:31 Wednesday, October 17, 2001