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Pete Doherty releases anti-BNP message - video

Babyshambles man speaks at Love Music Hate Racism festival

June 4, 2009 | 10 Comments
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Pete Doherty has spoken out about why he abhors racism and the British National Party in a video interview.

Watch the clip by clicking on the video below.

Speaking in the clip, which was shot at last week's (May 30) Love Music Hate Racism festival in Stoke, the Babyshambles frontman explained his first encounter with racism.

He described how he went to a football match when he was a teenager and witnessed fans verbally abusing former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Carlton Palmer.

"I just felt completely feared at 10,000 people making monkey noises at a kid [Palmer]," he said. "I just remember thinking, 'I'm living in an evil world'."

He added: "I love music and I hate racism. And I love Love Music Hate Racism."

Doherty's comments come as the British National Party aims to increase its presence at the English council elections tomorrow, which take place tomorrow (June 4).

Stoke is one of several hotspots the BNP is focussing on.

The former Libertines man played a short set at the Stoke festival, which also saw performances from Jerry Dammers, Reverend And The Makers and Kelly Rowland.

Doherty, who has played several Love Music Hate Racism benefit gigs in the past, said he enjoys "doing what I can to help propel the momentum of people actively fighting for a cause they believe in".

Watch the interview with Doherty below.

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Comments (10)

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TOMQ84

Jun 4, 2009

Pete I support you on most things, even when everyone is giving you shit, but your letting the side down with these comments.

TimesUp

Jun 4, 2009

What the hell are you on about TOMQ84? How has he let your side down? Oh, you mean because he aint a racist like you? You creep!!I am no fan of pete, and i have said many nasty things about him in the past. However he has just gotten alittle respect from me today, for what he has said. Lets face it, only morons like TOMQ84 here will be voting for the BNP... I pitty you Tom, i really really do.

binstig

Jun 4, 2009

What is that supposed to mean Tom? You dont think Pete should speak against the BNP?

Psycho_Mafia

Jun 4, 2009

give a shit, get this moron out my face, is there nothing he wont do to mould his own farsical herion addled self image, its fucking boring. who cares about the BNP?! i dont, i couldnt give a shit, fools like him are the ones who give them publicity they need and publicity they probably profit from. politics isnt rock and roll and nor is pete doherty, stick to making shit plastic, souless, fickle songs about "englsih roses" you prick! notice how the ones who dont shift units think its important to do this bollocks, they dont even mean it, i wouldnt believe any of them singing a protest song!

KidKoala84

Jun 4, 2009

Just been reading through some of your previous comments, TOMQ84. You really are a racist, sexist Gallagher-lover aren't you?! Jesus! Why shouldn't Doherty speak out against the BNP? I'm not a fan of his music, but hats off to someone who's willing to stand in front of a camera and denounce the evil shite that spouts from the mouth of every racist BNP supporter in the country.

ed2005

Jun 4, 2009

Irrespective of whether you like Pete Doherty's music, thank God that there are people who are prepared to take a stand against the evils of racism. The BNP are nothing less than a very eveil bunch of dangerous thugs and to ignore them and to hope that they go away is naive and risky. There is no excuse for the behaviour towards another human being that he describes in the clip. Racists are not demonstrating freedom of speech - they are making the countries in which they live dangerous people. Britain has always been a melting pot -and thank God it is! Anyone who thinks this is a bad thing is paying lip service to the likes of Hitler and any other figure at any time in history or the present who thinks it's acceptable to scapegoat certain groups. As one half of a mixed-race marriage, I am offended that there are people who think it's acceptable to make racist comments on here. NME has always made it very clear where it stands on the issue of racism; it was reading NME that inspired me to join the Anti-Nazi League over fifteen years ago.

Psycho_Mafia

Jun 5, 2009

Can we just let it go with all the racism shit, we are undermining the morality of our society (especially NME readers), this is taking us back 20-30 years, I think we have progressed beyond the point that we need this kind of message in our faces every week!! Do I need Pete Doherty to tell me not to be racist or vote for the BNP? Course I fucking donâ€™t, I find it insulting that some people think we need to be told!! Pete Doherty and co are making an assumption that we are devoid of basic and decent moral standards!! Is this really a movement? I dont think so! Its a platform for self promotion, masquerading as a good cause. Do we need to be told? Really? This anti BNP shit does more for their cause than it does for those that truly oppose it!! If people wanna vote for them, they can, but dont think that someone who is inclined to vote is gonna change their mind because of Pete Doherty, it just raises their profile, if it wasnt for all this media sensationalism, the BNP would be almost unheard of. Stop undermining people, stop adding fuel to their fire!

TOMQ84

Jun 5, 2009

Timesup, I am entitled to my opinion and last time looked that wasn't a crime, freedom od speech and all that. Peopel are not geberally not racist but are simplt fed up of our country letting any fucker in who has a hard luck story.Oasis on Saturday cant fuckin wait

ed2005

Jun 8, 2009

Depressed that the BNP got two seats in Euopean Parliament. Please sign this petition: http://action.hopenothate.org.uk/page/s/notinmyname The BNP cannot be ignored, action must be taken to get them to go away. They are not interested in protecting the right of free speech, they are a deeply racist party that do not represent right-thinking people. take action now. PLEASE!

MissJewelsS

Jun 9, 2009

TOMQ84~ you are such a complete & utter twat,yes freedom of speech is a good thing, but it can also bring about some really bad things, Hitler spoke & look what happened The Final Resolution. Unfortunately you are one of a growing minority who share such racist views.Do you ever ponder over the fact that you were blessed to live in this country in the first place?What would things be like if you were in the shoes og someone coming from a less fortunate country. You probably wont be able to imagine because you're too ignorant for that.Personally I would like to ship this little 'fucker' (you , in case you didn't get it) out of the country.