MP warns over 'racist leaflets'

A LIBERAL Democrat MP has threatened that he and senior party figures would resign from the party if its inquiry into alleged racist leaflets issued by Liberal Democrats in Tower Hamlets, east London, was a 'whitewash', writes Vikram Dodd.

Simon Hughes, the party's environment spokesman, first made his threat at a public meeting in Stepney, East London, on Sunday.

Paddy Ashdown, the party leader, set up the inquiry after allegations the election leaflets helped the neo-Nazi British National Party to its victory in a council by-election in the Millwall ward last September.

Mr Hughes said yesterday: 'Senior party members would not and could not continue in the party if the report produced a whitewash. In my view, these leaflets are racist and unacceptable. The party needs to take action against those responsible.'