Billy Bragg targeted by hate mail

Billy Bragg has become the target of a hate mail campaign when his Burton Bradstock neighbours were sent letters attacking their famous neighbour.

The letters, which feature a Southampton postmark, criticise Bragg's beliefs, political activism, music and decision to live in the Dorset village, Bridport News reports.

Local resident Karen Broad of North Hill Close said: "I think everybody was just rather shocked by the letter. It was so vindictive. I do think it is terribly cowardly.

"He has done a lot in the village. I just find it very bizarre. It is obviously somebody who has an absolute vendetta against him.

"I can only imagine that from the letter’s contents, it is politically motivated as some references to the BNP suggest."

Bragg responded: "It is clear from the content that this anonymous letter has been written by a disgruntled supporter of the British National Party.

"I have campaigned against the Tories in west Dorset for the past ten years, but they have never stooped so low as to randomly circulate hate mail in the hope of undermining my credibility.

"This letter is nothing more than the powerless ranting of a bitter individual who is angry that, even in a sleepy village like ours, people reject the politics of racism."

He added: "I'm sorry if anyone who received this letter was disturbed by its contents. My advice to any recipients is to throw it in the bin.

"I will continue to campaign against racism wherever I find it, comfortable in the knowledge that, after 11 happy years living in Burton Bradstock, people here have already made up their minds about me, one way or another."