REFERRING to the British National Party as "Nazis" is not disrespectful, according to a ground-breaking Standards Board ruling.

The BNP reported Liberal Democrat Gavin Stollar to the local government watchdog for saying "Nazis are not welcome in our town" when addressing a group of people.

The ethical standards officer ruled that Mr Stollar "expressed his views on a rival political party within the normal and acceptable limits of political debate".

Mr Stollar, who is an Epping Forest district councillor, said he was delighted by the outcome.

"I feel vindicated in my position. I think the ruling is a landmark in the way the BNP and the council chamber can be viewed. The Standards Board has endorsed the term Nazi' in reference to the BNP which sums up the way in which local and national government can view the party."

The comment was made in January when Mr Stollar was the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Brentwood and Ongar.

Mr Stollar added: "It was an attempt to distract me from the general election, but they have egg on their face. This ruling has given me and the other councillors around the country the ability to speak in robust terms and I take confidence in that. This will give councillors a greater degree of freedom."

The BNP said the term was offensive and said the party was "disappointed but not surprised by the ruling".

Loughton BNP district councillor Terry Farr said: "The Standards Board is just another political quango. I think this ruling opens up the doors for more insults. What we asked for was common courtesy in the council offices, which is very important to keep.

"This is a lowering of standards which is very disappointing. The term Nazis' is talking about the old organisation and the National Front, and, yes, it's true you get one or two like that. But I have no time for people with those viewpoints and neither do most people in the BNP."

Mr Stollar stuck by his remarks, saying it was not a term he used lightly.

He added: "Many BNP activists throughout the country are very questionable and many have convictions for race hate crimes. Just because they get councillors elected doesn't mean the party, and the opinions which they stand for, shouldn't be labelled as such."

He highlighted their recent leaflet-drop around Debden on housing and asylum as proof of a right-wing standpoint. He added: "Their conduct in the council chamber may be very smart and acceptable, but what they are saying on the streets and doorsteps is poisonous."

Mr Farr said: "I stand by those leaflets 100 per cent."