A MAN who has been arrested on suspicion of leaking details of thousands of British National Party members comes from south Essex.

Matthew Single, 36, who has twice stood for Basildon Council on behalf of the British National Party, was one of two people arrested in connection with the release last month of a confidential list containing details of more than 10,000 party members.

The list contained names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of members, and in some instances even their ages, hobbies and professions.

Police were forced to warn vigilantes not to take the law into their hands and attack known members following its publication.

Single, who previously lived in Tallow Gate, South Woodham Ferrers, and his girlfriend, Sadie Graham, have since been released on bail without charge by Dyfed Powys Police, in West Wales, pending further investigation.

Police spokeswoman Sian George said: “Dyfed Powys Police can confirm that two people have been interviewed, in conjunction with alleged criminal offences under the Data Protection Act, relating to the complaint from the BNP about the release of their party membership list.

“The two people were arrested in the Nottinghamshire area on Thursday evening.”

The Echo revealed a year ago that Single, now of Brinsley, Nottinghamshire, had been recruited as one of BNP boss Nick Griffin’s top security men. However, he has since been sacked from the party alongside girlfriend Miss Graham, a councillor in Broxtowe, Nottinghamshire, with whom he has been living.

Len Heather, BNP organisor for Basildon, Billericay, and Wickford, said: “We believe the Labour Party was ultimately behind all of this, along with the left wing unions, who are dedicated to undermining us.”

Single was arrested earlier this year following an armed police search at the home of his Miss Graham, in Brinsley.

Officers, who were searching for firearms following a tip-off, seized a canister thought to contain a noxious substance, plus radios, body armour vests, scanners and other equipment.

Single was sentenced, at Nottingham Crown Court in May this year, to 12 months community service for possession of a weapon for the discharge of noxious liquid.