Your recent editorial stated: By all means regard the BNP as political pariahs. Like the lepers of old, ring the bell and shout unclean! unclean! every time they pass. But ignoring them is tantamount to inviting them into the Assembly by the back door

Your recent editorial stated: ''By all means regard the BNP as political pariahs. Like the lepers of old, ring the bell and shout 'unclean! unclean!' every time they pass. But ignoring them is tantamount to inviting them into the Assembly by the back door'' (H&H Comment, April 17).

I am the first person to say we should all be given the opportunity to voice our political opinions no matter how much other people may find them distasteful and that those opinions should be analysed and scrutinised by the press.

But I am surprised that you think accepting advertising income from the BNP is the same as acknowledging the threat they pose. I would gladly support your paper writing an article on the policies and aims of the BNP but that is completely different from taking their money in exchange for advertisements.

I would like to add my voice to those who have already taken the time to write in, objecting as strongly as possible to your decision. It is entirely morally wrong to accept any funds from the BNP and to do so while suggesting you are promoting democracy is simply repugnant.

Cllr Arthur Graves

(Lib Dem) Belsize Ward