HAMILTON Academical FC is co-owned by a former candidate of the far-right British National Party, it has emerged.
Walter Hamilton, who was once the BNP's organiser in Glasgow, has a 25 per cent shareholding in a company that ultimately owns the football club and its stadium.
Mr Hamilton has said his membership of the party is "totally in the past" while club chief executive Colin McGowan said: "People's past political beliefs are none of my business. It is a very well-run club."
The Lanarkshire team, known as the Accies, were promoted to the Scottish Premiership this year after beating Hibs in a play-off. They are in second place in the top flight, ahead of champions Celtic, and have won five of their first eight fixtures.
Mr Hamilton, who stood for the BNP in 2010, is the club's stadium manager with responsibility for New Douglas Park. However, his reach goes deeper.
According to Companies House, the Accies are owned by Hamilton Academical Football Club Ltd. The club has four directors - Les Gray, Allan Maitland, McGowan and David MacDonald - while its biggest shareholder is Glasgow-based Edencrest Ltd. Edencrest, which Mr Hamilton has been a director of since 2012, holds over 95 per cent of the club's shares.
The former BNP member is one of four shareholders with a quarter stake in Edencrest, the others being Mr McGowan, a firm co-owned by Mr Gray and the children of previous owner, Ronnie MacDonald. Mr Hamilton was a BNP candidate in Glasgow in the 2005 and 2010 General Elections.
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