Order ‘must distance itself from BNP’
An assembly member has called on The Orange Order to distance itself from a member who is due to stand as a BNP candidate in the Westminster election.
Alliance MLA Anna Lo made the call after it emerged that Nick Baker, a district master of the Order in Devon has been selected to stand for the BNP.
On Friday morning a spokesman for the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland said that it was a matter for the Lodge in England.
But Ms Lo belives the Orange Order should send out a strong message.
“With so many incidents of racism in Northern Ireland I think the Orange Order needs to come out and show leadership.
“We do not to want to see racism in Northern Ireland and we certainly do not want to be linked with this man.”
Speaking to the Irish News newspaper a Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland spokesman said it is a matter for the Grand Lodge of England and not for the Grand Lodge of Ireland,
“As an institution we try not to interfere with the political views of any of our members.”
“Our members are are entitled to stand for whatever political organisation they so wish, ” he said.
