Analysis of BNP .sql Members List File

On the 18th of November 2008 the BBC, the Guardian, and a handful of other news outlets released the story that a BNP membership list had been leaked online. This immediately shot up search rates on Google for the .sql file itself. After obtaining a copy of this (while it would be illegal for me to offer this file for download, any web savvy user could probably find it within minutes) I have decided to write up a few notes. A text version and even a Google Maps site dedicated entirely to the BNP members list are also readily available.

The BNP is renowned as a far right-wing, racist (whites-only) and homophobic (against gay rights) political party in the UK and has become slightly more popular in recent years due to its policy on being “committed to stemming and reversing the tide of non-white immigration”. See Wikipedias Entry – British_National_Party – Racial_and_immigration_policies for more information.

The .sql file, which is an import for databases like MySQL, contains the title, full name, full address and phone number of 12,793 activists who support and/or were or are members of the BNP. Most entries also contain email addresses and brief notes left by, I can only assume BNP officials, on the member in question.

The Guardian article is a good report on what happened and includes the comment:

Another wrote: “God help anyone who is in the army, the prison service, health care, police officer or a teacher.”
Since 2004, police officers have faced dismissal if found to be members of the BNP.

And indeed many BNP members found in the list fall into these categories. Here is a brief analysis of BNP .sql file, excluding any details which could identify people:

Army

‘Soldier’
2 results

‘Infantry’
2 results

‘Army’
35 results. Mostly people who previous served or are retired servicement, small number are still active. Results include:
Civil servant. Previously a horticulturalist. Ex-serviceman (Army musician). Hobbies: member of local brass/dance bands (assists in teaching).
Engineer. City & Guilds (motor engineering). Ex-serviceman (Army). Hobbies DIY, dogs
Machinist (printing rewinder). Ex-serviceman (Army Infantryman). City & Guilds (basic teaching). Published article writer. Hobbies: history. Willing to give teaching re. BNP home-schooling

‘Marine’
13 results including:
Proof of entitlement seen
Ex-serviceman (Royal Marine Commandos). HGV driver. Hobbies: stamp collecting, British history

‘Navy’
12 results

‘Royal’
19 results

‘Civil Servant’
13 results
Some retired, some active.

Emergency Services

‘Police’
22 results
Almost all are retired or former policemen and women. A small number were still active including:
Under 16s Comps slip. Discretion required re. employment concerns
Police officer

‘Emergency’
1 result

‘Ambulance’
1 result

‘Fire’
6 results

‘Social’
7 results

Health

‘NHS’
5 results

‘Doctor’
5 results
A further 40 entries had the title Dr.

‘Nurse’
10 results

Education

‘Education’
3 results including:
Retired teacher. Diploma in Education. Commission in Territorial Army (Infantry). Adjutant of regiment’s Old Comrades Association. Member of Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Hobbies: landscape painting, gardening

‘Teacher’
28 results including:
Activist (discretion requested)
Teacher (secondary school)
Teacher (English). Advanced plumber
Teacher (ICT, secondary school)

‘Lecturer’
10 results

‘School’
6 results

‘Professor’
1 result

‘College’
3 results

‘University’
5 results

Other

‘Vet’
13 results
Technology teacher. BA (Hons) with Qualified Teacher status. Ex-serviceman (RAF). Gulf War I veteran. Pet-shop owner. Hobbies: fitness, fantail doves, koi carp, gardening

‘Plumber’
9 results

‘Government’
5 results

‘Prison’
8 results

One result included a note:
Report from Mike Howson 2/8/07: member describes himself as a witch: potential embarrassment if active

Note that the database is a list of members from 2007 and 135 members had notes stating they would not be renewing, such as:
Will not be renewing 07 (elderly)
Will not be renewing 07 (finances)
Will not be renewing 07 (change of circumstances)
Will not be renewing 07 (seriously ill)
Will not be renewing 07 (unhappy with order)

Many more entries in the list are simply former members and so accuracy is not certified. One thing you can count on for sure though, is that next year there are going to be a lot of entries with ‘Will not be renewing 08 (unhappy with having their full details becoming available to the public).

The following links have more information on the background story:

• BNP membership list leaked online – The Guardian
• BNP activists’ details published – BBC News
• BNP membership list leaks online – The Register

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