Policeman on BNP list is suspended
A serving police officer included in a list of British National Party members leaked on an internet blog has been suspended from duty, police said.
Pc Steve Bettley, of Merseyside Police, returned early from a holiday abroad to help the force with an investigation into his alleged involvement with the far right party.
A force spokesman said: "Merseyside Police can confirm that the police officer subject to an ongoing internal investigation into his alleged association with the BNP has today been suspended from duty."
The spokesman added: "He returned from his holiday early to cooperate with the investigation.
"We would like to reiterate we will keep an open mind until the facts around the alleged investigation have been established."
The officer once worked for a temporary six-week period as personal driver for the force's chief constable, Bernard Hogan Howe.
He took on the role when the permanent driver left the post and while a replacement could be found.
