A serving police officer facing investigation after being included in a list of British National Party members was last night named by Merseyside Police.
Steve Bettley was in a list of thousands of BNP supporters which was leaked on an internet blog. His name was part of the main entry of a family member.
Merseyside Police confirmed it is investigating whether Constable Bettley has links with the party.
A spokesman confirmed: “Whether Merseyside Constable Steve Bettley was, or is, a member of BNP is subject to an ongoing inquiry.
“Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe has reiterated our position that membership of the British National Party is totally incompatible with the duties and values of Merseyside Police. We will not accept a police officer or staff being a member.”
Officers are banned from joining or promoting the BNP because it would damage race relations, says the Association of Chief Police Officers.
Merseyside Black Police Association (MBPA) said: “Due process must be allowed to take place and we appeal for calm in that respect. “MBPA also supports Merseyside Police to ensure the safety and security of those who it feels may be at risk as a result of being associated with the BNP as a result of the publication of personal details on the internet.
“We condemn any and all unlawful acts and will assist Merseyside Police to hold those to account who perpetrate such behaviour.”
The leaked list includes a prison officer, current and ex-servicemen, religious ministers, teachers and solicitors.
Prison officers are barred from joining right-wing groups including the BNP, Combat 18 and the National Front.
A Prison Service spokes-man said: “The Prison Service is very clear on this issue – we take allegations of racism very seriously and have a zero tolerance policy of those who hold racist views.
“We have dismissed a number of staff for their actions in the past, and were the first public-sector employer to ban staff from being members of racist organisations.
“If we receive information indicating that a prison service employee is a member of a proscribed organisation, these claims would be investigated, and the appropriate action taken.”
The list, which was removed from the original blog where it was posted but remains available on other websites, names a number of current and former servicemen and ex-policemen.
Freelance broadcaster Rod Lucas, who was employed on a casual basis by Talksport, was also identified as a BNP member.
A spokesman for the station said: “Rod Lucas has told Talksport that as a freelance journalist, he and three colleagues joined the BNP while researching a story.
“As well as joining the BNP, Rod also joined 22 other organisations including the Animal Liberation Front, the Communist Party, the Anti-Vivisection movement, PDSA, Save the Panda amongst others.
“Rod Lucas would like to make it clear that he does not and has never supported the British National Party.”
BNP members first blamed former party staff for the leak, but yesterday took the line that it was a plot hatched by Labour supporters.
BNP supporters yesterday demonstrated outside a police station after its members were arrested for stirring up racial hatred in a town riven by race riots.
Four men were arrested in a police investigation into the distribution of leaflets in Burnley, Lancashire, which branded Moslems as responsible for the heroin trade.
Police would not say if the four were BNP members – the party said two were.
Party leader Nick Griffin protested outside Burnley police station at the “persecution” of members arrested in “Gestapo-like” police raids.