Wednesday, June 10, 2009

More Protests Before BNP Meeting

BBC: Protesters have gathered outside a pub in Manchester where the BNP leader Nick Griffin is to hold a news conference.

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Mr Griffin faced angry protests when he tried to speak in London. Photo courtesy of the BBC

Mr Griffin was forced to abandon a similar event outside Parliament on Tuesday after he was pelted with eggs.

Mr Griffin, who has been elected to the European Parliament for the North-West region, called on other political leaders to condemn the attacks on him.

But Gordon Brown told MPs that mainstream parties needed to expose the BNP's "racist and bigoted" policies.

At prime minister's questions, he called on all parties to "unite" to fight the BNP by showing they had solutions to pressing issues such as employment and housing.

And Conservative leader David Cameron said the battle against the BNP must be fought "doorstep to doorstep".

About 50 protesters have congregated outside the Manchester pub where Mr Griffin is planning to speak.

There is a heavy police presence there after Tuesday's chaotic scenes in London, when a BNP briefing broke up soon after starting in the face of angry demonstrators.

Mr Griffin said the fact that he was being prevented from speaking was a threat to democracy.

As well as Mr Griffin, a second member of the BNP was elected to the European Parliament on Sunday, for the Yorkshire and Humberside region. [Source: BBC] | Wednesday, June 10, 2009

THE INDEPENDENT: Police Let Mob Run Wild, Says BNP Leader

BNP leader Nick Griffin urged the police to "get a grip" of protesters who forced the party's MEPs to abandon their first joint press conference yesterday.

The British National Party leader spoke out after being besieged by around 40 protesters when he held a press conference in a Manchester pub today.

Mr Griffin, who along with Andrew Brons was elected as an MEP, said: "There wasn't a huge police presence yesterday. The police let the mob run wild.

"I think it's very sad that a hostile mob which is partly paid for by taxpayers and backed by Labour and the Conservatives is allowed to get away with mob violence on the streets of Britain in 2009.

"I've got to go and visit constituents in places like Preston and Andrew Brons has to go to places like Bradford. The police need to get a grip on these people and stop them throwing eggs and bricks.

"Like us or not we are a democratic party elected by people who have specific concerns they think we will address properly." >>> By Lucy Collins, Press Association | Wednesday, June 10, 2009

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