BNP ballerina dances through protest by anti-racists
http://arts.guardian.co.uk/news/stor...989520,00.html
The usual matinee mix of pensioners and schoolchildren had been joined at the London Coliseum, central London, by two less likely groups of ballet enthusiasts - about 30 members of the British National party and a smaller number of anti-racism activists. Both had turned up for Clarke's first public performance since the Guardian named the acclaimed dancer as a member of the BNP during an investigation into the far-right organisation last month.
Since she was named as a BNP member, Clarke, 36, has defended herself in an interview in the Mail on Sunday saying the BNP seemed to be the only party "willing to take a stand" against immigration.
"I've never been clearer in my head that I'm moving in the right direction and at the right time," she told the paper, adding that her conversion to the far right was prompted by watching the news and reading the BNP manifesto.
"I am not too proud to say that a lot of it went over my head but some of the things they mentioned were the things I think about all the time, mainly mass immigration, crime and increased taxes. I paid my £25 there and then."
The row is becoming increasingly difficult for the ENB, which has tried to deflect criticism by insisting that Clarke's stance is a private matter.
But following yesterday's demonstration the company, which is publicly funded and is therefore obliged by the Race Relations Act 2000 to promote good race relations, is coming under increasing pressure to explain why one of its highest profile employees is allegedly using her position as a platform for the far-right party.
Last night a spokeswoman for the ENB said it was not "within its mandate to express any political view", adding: "Any personal view expressed by one of our employees should not be considered as endorsed by the company." But Lee Jasper, race relations advisor to the mayor of London, who joined the anti-BNP demonstration, said: "The protests will continue ... English National Ballet have got a real fight on their hands."
So what tghe point in having a race relationa act in place in al publically funded institution if they are going to continously flout it. Goes to show that it does actualy do anything!!!!!