Royal Mail refuses Britain First 'no to mega-mosque' election leaflet

The Kent Messenger and City AM pick up on a story from Political Scrapbook disclosing that Royal Mail have refused to distribute a leaflet by Britain First candidate for the by election seat of Rochester and Strood, Jayda Fransen, because it does not comply with the law.

The leaflet, which shows a woman in niqab on one side with the word ‘warning’ emblazoned across the page and a ‘no to mega-mosque’ symbol in the bottom right corner, carries a message from Ms Fransen on the back which states:

“My name is Jayda Fransen and unlike the rest, I am proud to be English.

“I have campaigned hard against the huge new mega mosque that is going to be built on Rochester’s doorstep and that is why I am standing in the Rochester and Strood by-election.

“If this mega mosque is built, Medway will be flooded with more Muslim immigrants. I want Medway, especially Rochester, to remain English – unfortunately none of the other parties do…

“The people of Medway have expressed their objections against this new mega-mosque, but have been ignored.

“Only your vote in this election can force them to listen to you.

“Vote for me and I promise you I will stop this mega mosque!”

According to Political Scrapbook, Royal Mail have refused to distribute the leaflet explaining the decision in a statement:

“Royal Mail has a legal obligation under the Representation of the People Act 1983 to deliver parliamentary election mail. Royal Mail may refuse to carry election mail if we consider its contents to be illegal, for example if it is threatening, abusive or insulting, or is intended to cause distress or anxiety.

“We have procedures in place to evaluate whether election mail complies with the law. In this instance, we consider that the election mail in question does not comply with the law and have therefore refused to carry it.”

Political Scrapbook also features a video of Ms Fransen haranguing Muslim worshippers exiting a mosque in Gillingham, Kent. In the video, Fransen can be seen telling Muslims “We don’t want your mega mosque in our English town.”

“The English people in this town are going to suffer because you guys need yet another mosque… I speak for the British people.”

It is not the first time Britain First has tried to make divisive capital out of the mosque planning application submitted by the Kent Muslim Welfare Association. Earlier this summer, the far right group ‘visited’ two mosques in Kent.  Video footage posted on the far right group’s website shows BF members telling a Muslim man “Withdraw your application for a new mosque, ok?”

“Otherwise we, Britain First, will run a big campaign against you guys personally and also the council and the Imam, yeah?

“You’ve got a mosque, yeah. We don’t want these huge mosques with domes and minarets in our towns with separate entrances for men and women in our country.”