RACHEL WHITEAR'S PARENTS CONDEMN BNP FOR USING
IMAGE OF THEIR DEAD DAUGHTER IN PAMPHLET

The parents of heroin victim Rachel Whitear have condemned the British
National Party for using a picture of her corpse in a campaign blaming
Muslims for the drugs trade.

Police are investigating whether the party can be prosecuted for
inciting hatred in what 21-year-old Rachel's mother and stepfather
call an "insulting and offensive" leaflet.

After her death in 2000 they authorised the release of a harrowing
photograph of her corpse slumped on the floor with a syringe in her
hand for anti-drugs campaigns in schools.

But they were disgusted to find that it features in BNP leaflets under
the headline: "The heroin trade, a crime against humanity - time for
Muslims to apologise."

"I was truly horrified when I saw what they'd done with it," said
Rachel's mother, Pauline Holcroft, 58 at her home in Ledbury,
Herefordshire.

"Even if one of the main political parties had asked us if they could
use it in a campaign I think we would have to say No.

"For the BNP to use it without even seeking our permission is an
insult to my daughter's memory."