An officer on the leaked list of alleged British National Party members was suspended last night.

PC Steve Bettley, 47, returned home early from a holiday in Egypt to help a Merseyside Police probe into his possible involvement with the far-Right party.

The force said it was “keeping an open mind” until the facts had been established. Active police are banned from joining the BNP.

Dad-of-two PC Bettley’s wife Yvette, 43, is also on the list.

Ms Naseem Malik, IPCC Commissioner for the North West, said: “I have every confidence that Merseyside Police will investigate this matter thoroughly. The national policies are clear that membership of the BNP is incompatible with the requirements of the role of a police officer and I know Merseyside Police will act robustly if necessary.”