Ex-BNP candidate 'had cache of explosive chemicals'

Published on Wednesday 14 February 2007 00:08

A FORMER British National Party election candidate yesterday admitted stockpiling explosive chemicals for an anticipated civil war in Britain.

Robert Cottage, 49, pleaded guilty at Manchester Crown Court to one count of possession of explosives, on the first day of his trial.

Cottage, of Colne, Lancashire, denied a further charge related to the haul. Barrister Alistair Webster, QC, said his client was a former BNP candidate and had been the subject of threats.

He explained Cottage believed the "political and financial condition of the country" would lead to civil war within the coming years.

Cottage also denies conspiracy to cause an explosion.

A second man, David Jackson, 62, denies charges of possession of explosives and conspiracy to cause an explosion.

Opening the case for the prosecution, Louise Blackwell, QC, said Cottage's wife claimed her husband wanted to shoot the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and local Liberal Democrat peer Lord Greaves.

Miss Blackwell added that Kerena Cottage, who suffered mental health problems, told a social worker her husband had several crossbows and chemicals in his home, which sparked a police raid on the house.

During the swoop police discovered 21 types of chemicals which, when mixed together, could form explosives.

They also recovered a 300-page computer document called the Anarchy Cookbook which detailed how to make different types of bombs.

The trial, before Mr Justice Beatson, continues.