White terrorists don’t make the news

A FORMER British National Party member has been accused of possessing the largest amount of chemical explosives of its type ever found in the country.

Robert Cottage, 49, of Talbot Street, Colne, appeared before Burnley magistrates last week charged with possession of an explosive substance.

Officers claim that their find is the largest haul of chemicals of its kind discovered.

The case has attracted little publicity as the national media continue to focus on Muslims.

Cottage reportedly drives disabled children to school.  Police sealed off Cottage’s home and were believed to have continued their search over the weekend. His Peugeot car has been taken away for examination.

Cottage was charged under the Explosives Substances Act 1883 last Monday. 22 chemical components are believed to have been recovered from his house.

David Leach, representing Cottage made no application for bail. Magistrates remanded Cottage in custody and referred his case to Burnley Crown Court.

Cottage, a sub-contracted driver for Lancashire County Council, stood for the BNP in the May elections in the Vivary Bridge ward of Pendle Council.

62-year-old retired dentist David Bolus Jackson, of Trent Road, Nelson, was charged with similar offences. It has been reported that police discovered a rocket launcher, a nuclear biological suit, chemicals and BNP literature.

Christiana Buchanan, who appeared for the prosecution in Jackson’s case, alleged the pair had “some kind of masterplan”.

Cottage and Jackson of Trent Road made separate appearances in court charged with being in possession of an explosive substance for an unlawful purpose. Both were remanded in custody.

Amid alarm from nearby residents, police tried to reassure neighbours that they had not discovered “a bomb making factory.”

A local BNP councillor, Brian Parkinson, distanced his party from Cottage. “It certainly wouldn’t condone the sort of thing he is allegedly being connected with”, he said.