A FORMER member of the British National Party (BNP) is to contest the Batley and Spen by-election following the death of Labour MP Jo Cox.
In the days after Mrs Cox's death the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Ukip all announced their intention not to stand in the by-election.
However, Jack Buckby, a member of Liberty GB, said Labour had "blood on its hands" and there was "too much at stake" to allow Labour to retake Batley and Spen unchallenged.
Mr Buckby's announcement was criticised as "inflammatory" by the Green party group leader on Kirklees council.
Councillor Andrew Cooper said: "If we have learnt anything in the last few weeks and certainly in the last few days, it is that people need to be more respectful to people who have different and contrasting views."
Mr Buckby (23), who stood for election for Liberty GB in the 2014 European elections, said: "We cannot let Jo Cox's tragic death be in vain.
"We must use this election as an opportunity to create dialogue and give a voice to the millions of working and middle class Britons who are seeing their communities trashed by an arrogant and out-of-touch political class."
