the BNP. In the preceding months, he had become increasingly disillusioned with the BNP's national and local leadership, this resulted in him being expelled from the BNP. He sat as an independent for a few days and then he decided to "join a party that offers a serious, radical challenge to the corrupt political establishment". On 12 March 2010, John Gamble defected from the EFP to the National Front. This was after he told The Star newspaper in Sheffield he had "jumped ship" to the NF because he wanted to join a "more active" organisation than England First. On 1 April 2010, Gamble defected back to England First because he stated to The Star, "I am not aware of the severity of these opinions" when some of the NF's recorded views were put to him. On 5 April 2010 England First refused to take him back. England First's chairman, Mark Cotterill, said: "While we have nothing against Cllr. Gamble, the fact is that despite his various and contradictory public statements he has had no involvement with the EFP – and is no longer an EFP member." Mr Cotterill went on to release a statement to The Sheffield Star saying, "We don't want anything to do with Councillor Gamble. He has done nothing for the party, and when he left we washed our hands of him." Support to the English Democrats In May 2009, the England First Party decided to stand a candidate in the County council elections in Lancashire but did not stand any European candidates. For the European Parliament, the England First Party worked with the English Democrats and attended and spoke at the English Democrats' conference in Darwen. Cotterill stated that the parties had differences on race, immigration and independence but they had in common withdrawal from EU and putting England first. The party was de-registered on 14 June 2012, and as such the name "England First Party" cannot be used on ballot papers by candidates at elections. References External links English nationalist parties 2004 establishments in England British National Party breakaway groups Political parties established in 2004 Far-right political parties in England 2012 disestablishments in England Political parties disestablished in 2012 Defunct political parties in England