A member of the Far-Right British National Party was dismissed because he was considered a health and safety risk, an employment tribunal heard yesterday.

Arthur Redfearn, who was elected onto Bradford Council as a BNP councillor this year, was removed from his job as a driver with West Yorkshire Transport Service which provides transport for disabled people, children and the elderly.

He claims that private company Serco - which runs WYTS - racially discriminated against him.

At the hearing in Leeds the tribunal reserved its decision which is expected in a couple of weeks.

Coun Redfearn, who represents the Wibsey ward, was sacked from his job three weeks after being elected in June.

At the hearing he claimed he was sacked because most of the people he drove were Asian and they would not like the fact that he was a member of the BNP.

He said: "I have been dismissed on the grounds of the Asian race and ethnic origin of some of the people I transported in the course of my employment. I am advised this is race discrimination."

But WYTS claimed Coun Redfearn's membership of the BNP meant he was a liability and his presence meant the buses could be targeted by abusive people opposed to his party.

They said they therefore dismissed him on the grounds of health and safety.

Geoff Binnington, general manager at WYTS told the tribunal the company was unaware of Coun Redfearn's political affiliations until an article in the Telegraph & Argus stated he would be running for election on the Council.

Mr Binnington said at this point a number of WYTS employees came to see him and expressed concern at the fact that Mr Redfearn was a member of the BNP and that he had been elected as a member of Bradford Council on behalf of the party.

He said: "There was a real risk that those members of the public who strongly opposed the views espoused by the BNP may wrongly associate WYTS with the BNP.

"This in turn may result in members of the public who strongly oppose the views attacking WYTS mini-buses.

"As a result there was a very real risk that the health and safety of the drivers, passenger escorts and passengers on those mini-buses may be placed in jeopardy."

After the hearing Coun Redfearn said: "I hope the decision is going to go in my favour. I knew it would always be touch and go."

And head of employment relations for Serco John Whitefoot said: "We are very confident of our case and are very pleased about the way the tribunal went.

"We are satisfied that the company took the action that it did in the circumstances."