JUST WHO IS IN CHARGE?

Who's in charge?

One of the men above is group leader of the BNP opposition on Barking and Dagenham council - but which one?
Technically it should be Councillor Bob Bailey, but his colleague Councillor Richard Barnbrook seems to have other ideas.

At the last council assembly before Christmas the two came close to blows when Cllr Bailey forcibly intervened telling his colleague Mr Barnbrook to "shut up" before Barrnbrook made potentially embarassing remarks about "Africans in Essex" in the council chamber debate. Barnbrook reluctantly withdrew, mumbling he would say what he liked.

Bailey told his colleague that he was out of order and would not say what he liked while "I am leader".

Councillor Barnbrook, who once directed a gay porn film, HMS Discovery, appears to have got his own back by announcing unilaterally that Bailey will take his place in the London Assembly, so he, Barnbrook can lead the BNP to glory in the local council elections.

Who can forget Councillor Barnbrook's comments on his London Assembly blog last month when he said:

"“In order to serve their interests in the best possible combination, we have formulated a unique and inimitable double-act – the dream ticket, no less – Nick Griffin is to stand as MP for Barking, and myself, Richard Barnbrook, as Leader of what will be the new BNP controlled Council of Barking and Dagenham…..together we will be able to work effectively to serve those who live here, by implementing real and radical change that will not only transform the Borough, but will blaze a trail as a radiant model for the rest of the country."

No mention of Bailey.

Apparently Bailey wasn't consulted about Nick Griffin standing in Barking at the General Election and was told after the event that he would replace Barnbrook on the London Assembly if Barnbrook leads his Barking and Dagenham stormtroopers to local election glory.

He must have loved Councillor Barnbrook's briefing to the Barking and Dagenham Post (16th December 2009)and specifically the line: "Mr Barnbrook said the swap would give Cllr Bailey more experience."

Muat be galling for Bailey to find out he needs 'experience' when he was the person who had to stop his council deputy from making a fool of himself.

On this evidence Bob Bailey is fast becoming the forgotten man of the BNP in Barking and Dagenham.

It does beg the question though - just who is in charge of the BNP group on Barking and Dagenham council - and with leadership like this - does anyone really believe they could run this local authority?