BNP appeals for cash to fight EHRC
By politics.co.uk
BNP leader Nick Griffin is reported to have written to party activists appealing for money to save the party from financial ruin.
According to The Times, Mr Griffin has urged supporters to make donations to “keep the wolves at bay”.
A party spokesman was unable to confirm or deny the wording of the appeal by Mr Griffin as quoted in The Times, however, he told politics.co.uk that if an appeal was sent out it was probably to raise money “to fight the equalities commission”.
The far-right party is currently facing a court case from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) regarding its membership policy.
Meanwhile, it was confirmed late last night that the BNP leader will face justice secretary Jack Straw on the BBC’s Question Time panel show.
The decision to engage with the far-right party in a televised debate has divided opinion within the Labour party with some believing that sharing a platform with the group gives them dangerous credibility.
Margaret Hodge, MP for Barking – an area where the BNP made large gains in the last election – welcomed the move.
“I’m really pleased to hear that Jack has decided to go up against the BNP,” she said.
However, Jon Cruddas, MP for Dagenham said: “It’s a high wire act. I don’t know what the precise solution to this is.”
The BNP will be represented for the first time on the BBC’s political debate show on October 22nd.
