POLITICIANS across Redbridge have reacted with concern to news that the British National Party (BNP) will field a candidate at the Wanstead by-election next month.

It is believed to be the first time the far-right party has stood for election in the ward, leaving some political leaders to accuse the party of trying to capitalise on the country’s economic woes.

The BNP has yet to finalise its nominee, but the front-runner appears to be John Evans, a retired accountant from South Woodford.

Council leader and Conservative party head Alan Weinberg said: “Something that unites all the main political parties in Redbridge is our condemnation of groups like the BNP.

“I’m always disappointed when a far right extremist party stands in Redbridge, or indeed when they stand anywhere.

“When you look at the economic climate, I would put this down to them testing the water, but I have faith in the people of Wanstead.

“When the BNP stood at the Cranbrook by-election they got just 37 votes, and I would like to see them get 37 less votes this time, but the economic situation has changed since then.”

But Labour leader Cllr Elaine Norman said she thought the party were fielding the candidate in preparation for the upcoming European elections.

She added: “They have been leafleting around Wanstead with leaflets focusing on Europe recently.

“I’m disappointed that an extremist fascist party are standing but we will strongly fight against them.”

Redbridge’s Liberal Democrat leader, Cllr Hugh Cleaver, added his concerns.

He said: “I would hope they won’t get much support in the area, we don’t have any time for their views and outlook at all.

“I hope that they don’t get very far. But everybody’s got the right to stand if they want to.”

But Green Party spokesman and candidate Ashley Gunstock blamed the mainstream parties.

He said: “It is the ineptitude of the main parties which has led to the BNP getting votes.

“It’s the fact that, for want of a better expression, the working class have been unrepresented for a long time, and some of them are thrashing out by voting for the BNP to get their voices heard.”

Gerry Gable, of Redbridge-based anti-racism group Searchlight, said: “They're a party with a fascist ideology. I would say to people in Wanstead don’t waste your vote on them.”

No definite date has been set for the by-election, but the borough's political parties have been told it will probably be held on Thursday April 23.

The by-election comes after the death of Cllr Allan Burgess last month, who held the seat for nearly two decades.

Mr Evans said he did not want to comment on the by-election unless his nomination was finalised.