The former right-wing British Movement leader Colin Jordan is to stand trial at York Crown Court accused of trying to stir up racial hatred.

And the man who printed some of Jordan's work will be in the dock beside him on December 1.

District Judge David Tapp, sitting at Harrogate Magistrates yesterday, ruled Jordan, 77, of Greenhow, Pateley Bridge, and Anthony Hancock, 53 of Hove, Sussex, had a case to answer.

Jordan faces 11 charges brought under the 1986 Public Order Act, claiming publication or distribution of threatening, abusive or insulting material intended or likely to stir up racial hatred.

Hancock, faces two charges of aiding and abetting Jordan by printing some of the material. Both men have pleaded not guilty on all counts.

Jordan, who had reporting restrictions lifted, claimed the motive for police raids on his home in August 1998 and March last year in which 10,000 items were seized had been revenge after he had had an earlier search ruled illegal and won damages and costs totalling £13,000.

Committing both men for trial, Mr Tapp rejected submissions by Jordan that his right to a fair hearing had been compromised by the 27 months it had taken to get the case to committal stage.

Mr Tapp said that while the case might have been dealt with more quickly there was no evidence of bad faith by the prosecution - no suggestion that they wanted to get back at Jordan.