City news in 250 words: Manchester 15 February

NORTH WEST MEP NICK GRIFFIN AGREES TO END ‘WHITES-ONLY’ MEMBERSHIP allowing black and Asians to join the BNP. Threatened with a possible court injunction by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the party held a meeting in Essex where they amended the existing ‘whites-only’ membership rules. References to “indigenous British” have been removed for when the party goes back to court in March to see if the new rules meet race relation laws.

EEF TO HOLD CAMPAIGN EVENTS IN THE NORTH WEST to promote the manufacturing sector. With the backing of the North West Development Agency, ‘Manufacturing Week’ will take place from March 1-5 and is part of a long running campaign designed to promote success of the sector and create a more balanced economy. A series of events will be held across the region in an effort to create an “internationally competitive” business environment.

SCHOOLMASTER HELD AFTER THREE SCHOOL-AGED GIRLS WERE FOUND IN HIS FLAT late at night. Police were called to an apartment block in Salford in the early hours of Sunday morning following reports of a disturbance. The Greater Manchester schoolmaster was yesterday being questioned on suspicion of having sex with a minor and abuse of trust after police found him with the three school-aged girls.

CYCLISTS WELCOME A METROLINK REVIEW into whether bikes can be taken on to the trams. Members of the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority have set up a cross-party working group that will seek the views of cycling groups and tram passengers.