ITAKE exception to the remarks in your Opinion column (LET, June 25) insinuating that the British National Party may have been in some way connected to the violence which erupted over the previous weekend in Burnley.

In all the years I have been associated with this organisation, I have never come into contact with any member -- and certainly no official -- who has ever endorsed the use of force, violence, intimidation or any tactic not acceptable to the democratic system.

The BNP, unlike some more militant nationalist groups with which it is sometimes mistakenly compared, is a legitimate political party which provides an alternative to which more and more people are turning as it dawns on them that the three main parties are out of touch with what is happening to our communities.

As to the remarks in your editorial, no proof yet exists of direct involvement by any organisation, so why drag the BNP into it, unless this is an attempt to discredit them? Such blatant bias is not acceptable.

ROGER WOOD (Rossendale and East Lancs, British National

Party), Fallbarn Crescent,

Rawtenstall.