A regional daily editor has warned of a threat to free speech after a British National Party activist was found guilty of publishing racist blog posts.

Michael Coleman, leader of the BNP in Stoke and a former city councillor, ran a blog entitled Stokepatriot.com.

Last week he was found guilty of racially aggravated harrassment over two blog posts written during the 2011 summer riots in which he claimed that “darkies” had exposed their “true criminality.”

However Mike Sassi, editor of Stoke daily The Sentinel, questioned the jury’s verdict in an editorial saying Coleman’s conviction might turn out to be a “bad day for British liberty.”

Wrote Mike:  “There is little doubt that BNP activist Michael Coleman is an obscure, twisted individual who harbours strange views and exhibits a poor grasp of the English language.

“There is even less debate that Stoke-on-Trent is a far, far better place without him and his former BNP councillors in the city council chamber.

“However this week’s jury decision that Coleman’s regular internet rants warrant a criminal conviction for racially-aggravated harassment, is not a welcome development.

“What was a good day for Coleman’s political opponents, might turn out to be a very bad day for British liberty.

Mike described Coleman’s blog as “barmy” and his views as “at best weird, at worst objectionable.”

But he added:  “However, it takes a sizeable mental leap to suggest that the content could, by itself, lead a reader into racial harassment.”

Coleman, of Caverswall Road, Weston Coyney, admitted writing the blog entries, but denied intending to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

He was released on bail and will be sentenced on September 28.