British National Party - Membership List

Dear Mr/Ms Hunter,

Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2008120001850
I write in connection with your request for information which was received
by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 08/12/2008. I note you seek
access to the following information:

* " On Monday November 17 2008 a list of around 13,000 names and home
addresses alleged to be members of the British National Party were
posted on an internet website. This list (hereafter referred to as
'The List') was alleged to list the details of serving members of
various UK Police Forces.
* 1) Can you let me know if any department of the Metropolitan Police
Service(MPS), specifically the Human Resources / Personnel Department
currently has a copy of 'The List'?
* 2) Can you let me know if any department of the Metropolitan Police
Service, specifically the Human Resources / Personnel Department has
previously held a copy of 'The List', acquired on or after November 17
2008, but has subsequently destroyed 'The List'?
* 3) If the answer to question 1) or 2) above indicates that The
Metropolitan Police Service currently has, or previously had, a copy
of 'The List', can you please detail how 'The List' came to be in the
possession of Metropolitan Police Service. In other words, how did the
MPS physically acquire either the electronic or physical 'hard copy'
copy of 'The List'? "

Your request will now be considered in accordance with the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 (the Act). You will receive a response within
the statutory timescale of 20 working days as defined by the Act,
subject to the information not being exempt or containing a reference
to a third party. In some circumstances the MPS may be unable to
achieve this deadline. If this is likely you will be informed and
given a revised time-scale at the earliest opportunity.

Some requests may also require either full or partial transference to
another public authority in order to answer your query in the fullest
possible way. Again, you will be informed if this is the case.

Your attention is drawn to the attached sheet which details your right
of complaint.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest
in the MPS.

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please
contact me on the email address above quoting the reference number
above.

Yours sincerely

Emma Linney
Support Officer
COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think
the decision is incorrect?

You have the right to require the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to
review their decision.

Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome and encouraged to
discuss the decision with the case officer that dealt with your
request.

Ask to have the decision looked at again –

The quickest and easiest way to have the decision looked at again is
to telephone the case officer that is nominated at the end of your
decision letter.

That person will be able to discuss the decision, explain any issues
and assist with any problems.

Complaint

If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision
of the MPS made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act)
regarding access to information you can lodge a complaint with the MPS
to have the decision reviewed.

Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to:

FOI Complaint
Public Access Office
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1SF

In all possible circumstances the MPS will aim to respond to your
complaint within three months.
The Information Commissioner

After lodging a complaint with the MPS if you are still dissatisfied
with the decision you may make application to the Information
Commissioner for a decision on whether the request for information has
been dealt with in accordance with the requirements of the Act.

For information on how to make application to the Information
Commissioner please visit their website at
www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk. Alternatively, phone or write to:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Phone: 01625 545 700

show quoted sections

Dear Sir/Madam,

Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 2008120001850

I write in response to your request for information which was received by
the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 08 December 2008. I note you
seek access to the following information:

On Monday November 17 2008 a list of around 13,000 names and home
addresses alleged to be members of the British National Party were posted
on an internet website. This list (hereafter referred to as 'The List')
was alleged to list the details of serving members of various UK Police
Forces.

1. Can you let me know if any department of the Metropolitan Police
Service (MPS), specifically the Human Resources / Personnel Department
currently has a copy of 'The List'?

2. Can you let me know if any department of the Metropolitan Police
Service, specifically the Human Resources / Personnel Department has
previously held a copy of 'The List', acquired on or after November 17
2008, but has subsequently destroyed 'The List'?

3. If the answer to question 1) or 2) above indicates that the
Metropolitan Police Service currently has, or previously had, a copy of
'The List', can you please detail how 'The List' came to be in the
possession of Metropolitan Police Service. In other words, how did the MPS
physically acquire either the electronic or physical 'hard copy' copy of
'The List'?

Following receipt of your request searches were conducted within the MPS
to locate information relevant to your request. I can confirm that the
information you have requested is held by the MPS.

DECISION

I have disclosed the located information to you in full.

The MPS acquired a copy of the British National Party (BNP) membership
list from the internet in response to media reports that police officers
serving with UK Police Forces were members of the BNP. The Directorate of
Professional Standards currently hold a copy of this list and are
investigating this matter. The MPS did not previously hold a copy of the
BNP membership list.

It is contrary to Police Regulations 2003 as amended by Police (Amendment)
Regulations 2004, for any member of a Police Force in England and Wales to
be a member of the BNP. If a serving member of the MPS is found to be a
member of the BNP, any potential breaches of the discipline codes will be
determined and appropriate disciplinary action taken.

COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Your attention is drawn to the attached sheet which details your right of
complaint.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in
the MPS.

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please
contact me at [email address] or by telephone on 0207 230 5204
quoting the reference number above.

Yours sincerely

Damion Baird
Information Manager
Directorate of Professional Standards

In complying with their statutory duty under sections 1 and 11 of the
Freedom of Information Act 2000 to release the enclosed information, the
Metropolitan Police Service will not breach the Copyright, Designs and
Patents Act 1988. However, the rights of the copyright owner of the
enclosed information will continue to be protected by law. Applications
for the copyright owner's written permission to reproduce any part of the
attached information should be addressed to MPS Directorate of Legal
Services, 1st Floor (Victoria Block), New Scotland Yard, Victoria, London,
SW1H 0BG.
COMPLAINT RIGHTS

Are you unhappy with how your request has been handled or do you think the
decision is incorrect?

You have the right to require the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to
review their decision.

Prior to lodging a formal complaint you are welcome and encouraged to
discuss the decision with the case officer that dealt with your request.

Ask to have the decision looked at again ***

The quickest and easiest way to have the decision looked at again is to
telephone the case officer that is nominated at the end of your decision
letter.

That person will be able to discuss the decision, explain any issues and
assist with any problems.

Complaint

If you are dissatisfied with the handling procedures or the decision of
the MPS made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) regarding
access to information you can lodge a complaint with the MPS to have the
decision reviewed.

Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to:

FOI Complaint
Public Access Office
PO Box 57192
London
SW6 1SF

In all possible circumstances the MPS will aim to respond to your
complaint within 40 working days.
The Information Commissioner

After lodging a complaint with the MPS if you are still dissatisfied with
the decision you may make application to the Information Commissioner for
a decision on whether the request for information has been dealt with in
accordance with the requirements of the Act.

For information on how to make application to the Information Commissioner
please visit their website at www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk.
Alternatively, phone or write to:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Phone: 01625 545 700

show quoted sections