A "terror raid" that didn't make the headlines

A one-time British National Party member has been accused of possessing the largest amount of chemical explosives of its type ever found in the UK.

Robert Cottage, 49, appeared before Burnley magistrates in early October charged with possession of an explosive substance.

What’s notable however is that press reports made absolutely no mention of “terror”, even though the British National Party has often been accused of “extremism” itself.

Instead, Cottage was charged under the Explosives Substances Act 1883 after forensic experts searched his home, allegedly discovering chemical components that could be used to make explosives.

Officers claim that their find was the largest haul of chemicals of its kind ever discovered in someone's home in England.

Now imagine if some young Muslims had been caught in similar circumstances. The mainstream media would have gone to town with speculation about “terror plots”.

However, they didn’t and the story was given minimal coverage but the fact that it was accorded such scant regard makes for an interesting study in contrasts.

Had young Muslims been involved the media would have been endlessly repeating the same old lines: “fanaticism”, “Muslim extremism”, “possible terror links” etc. The fact that they didn’t however is notable only because such phrases are conspicious by their absence in the reports covering this story below.

www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-2394446,00.html

www.pendletoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=8&ArticleID=1806619

www.burnleycitizen.co.uk/display.var.951775.0.exbnp_man_faces_explosives_charge.php

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Last updated 20/10/2006

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