A BRITISH National Party council candidate has been fined for sett-ing off a fire alarm which caused Burnley Town Hall to be evac-uated.

Political campaigner John Rowe, 52, had been barred from attending a meeting of Burnley's full council when the drama unfolded on Thursday night.

Moments later the fire alarm sounded and new Mayor Coun Ida Carmichael, taking her inaugural meet-ing, and fellow councillors, were asked to clear the building.

Council insiders said Mr Rowe had tried to escape via a fire exit, but found himself trapped in a courtyard inside the town hall complex, where he was later found by council officers.

Mr Rowe, of Cowper Street, Rosegrove, was later issued with an £80 fixed penalty notice for criminal damage.

But he remained defiant about his stance following the incident, amid criticism from police and political rivals.

Mr Rowe said: "I think it is completely improper and there is no justification for barring me from council meetings, and prevent me from council buildings."

He says he will be seeking legal and political advice, but that the matter "might just die a death".

Mr Rowe has accused council chief executive Steve Rumbelow of excluding him for "political reasons".

He says that if the chief executive, or council, wanted to bar him from their premises then they would need a county court injunction. "They did not do that because they know perfectly well that it would not have been granted," added Mr Rowe.

Following the town hall incident, Mr Rumbelow said: "It is not the disruption to our meeting that concerns me so much as the fact that this mindless act risked lives in other parts of Burnley.

"Our emergency services could have been needed elsewhere. This completely irresponsible act wastes taxpayers money and has put lives of Burnley folk at risk."

Sgt Martin Selway, of Burnley Police, added: "The police will take false alarms extremely seriously.

"Not only does it disrupt police and the fire service, but it causes unnecessary disruption for members of the public and potentially puts lives at risk."

A spokesman for the council's ruling Liberal Democrats said: "People were shocked by Rowe's behaviour.

"We now know that he did not intend to endanger life directly, but he must realise that his hoax has put lives at risk by distracting the fire service and police from essential duties.

"In addition to the risk, there is also the cost. Around six police officers and a fire crew attended the building.

"Forty councillors, the mayor, at least seven council staff, plus members of the public all had their demo-cratic business suspended and were forced to wait outside for the all-clear.

"How such a man is considered by the BNP as a suitable candidate for a public election is beyond us."