BNP vs British Muslim - Public Debate

The BBC does not want you to see this Debate: In this historic debate the MDI (Muslim Debate Initiative) debates with the British National Party also known as the BNP, they also debate members from the English Defense League (EDL).



The Debate Initiative »

‪Is Britain Facing a Move to the Far Right?‬

Church of England Bans Clergy from ‘Un-Christian’ BNP and National Front

Bishops have formally declared the two groups to be "incompatible
with the teaching of the Church of England" because of their stance
on "equality of persons or groups of different races"

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Bishops declare race policies of far right parties such as the BNP and the National Front as a “blatant denial of the Christian faith”

Church of England clergy face being defrocked if they are found to be members of the BNP or National Front after bishops ruled that their views are un-Christian and promote the “sin of racism”.

It is the first time Anglican priests have formally been banned from membership of any political party.

Bishops declared the two groups to be “incompatible with the teaching of the Church of England” because of their respective stances on “equality of persons or groups of different races”.

Clergy who defy the ban would be subject to disciplinary procedures under a clause in canon law which requires them to be “wholesome examples and patterns to the flock of Christ” in their public and private lives.

It follows a vote in the governing General Synod four years ago calling for the church to adopt a similar policy towards the two groups as police forces already have.

Bishops agreed to impose the ban after legal advice that the Church could not be sued under human rights law for curtailing clerics’ free speech. » | John Bingham, Religious Affairs Editor | Tuesday, June 03, 2014

Newsnight Economics Editor Duncan Weldon's 'Embarrassing' Fascist Past

Duncan Weldon is the TUC's chief economist but once
dabbled in far-Right politics

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Duncan Weldon admits to youthful 'flirtation' with fascism and once wrote about attending BNP demos

When a TUC official was hired by Newsnight as its new economics correspondent, the BBC faced familiar accusations of Left-wing bias.

But Duncan Weldon has admitted that he once had a brief, “witless” dalliance with fascism, having been an admirer of Oswald Mosley when he was a boy.

As a 19-year-old student, he wrote an article for his university newspaper headlined “I was a fascist”, in which he described attending British National Party meetings and taking part in a “violent” demonstration against asylum seekers.

Writing under the pseudonym Sam Healey in the Oxford University student newspaper Cherwell in 2002, he wrote that after attending several BNP meetings: “I was starting to consider myself a Fascist – a patriot – one of the few who understood that in order to regain what we once had, we may have to take distasteful methods.”

The hiring of Mr Weldon by the Newsnight editor Ian Katz, a former deputy editor of The Guardian, had already raised eyebrows because Mr Weldon has virtually no professional journalistic experience. » | Gordon Raynor, Chief Reporter | Friday, March 21, 2014

'Intervention Will Make Syria 10 Times Worse Than Extremist-ravaged Libya'
Assad troops have made a strong push in recent weeks, and rebel leaders say they are in dire need of support. They've already got al-Qaeda-linked militants and foreign mercenaries fighting on their side, and are now set to start getting weapons from the West. Meanwhile, government forces have the backing of Lebanon's Hezbollah, and may soon get a four-thousand-strong troop reinforcement from Iran. The British National Party's Nick Griffin was part of a European fact-finding delegation that's just returned from Damascus. He told RT that any third-party involvement only aggravates the conflict.

My comment:

I smell the scent of Saudi behind this ludicrous decision to arm the rebels. The Saudis are pulling the strings here, if I am not greatly mistaken. In a few words, Cameron is the Saudi stooge, as is Obama. Remember that obsequious bow he made to the Saudi king? – © Mark

This comment is also to be found here

Chaos as BNP Supporters and Anti-fascist Campaigners Clash Outside Parliament Over Drummer Lee Rigby's Brutal Killing

MAIL ONLINE: Far-right and opposing groups planned demonstrations for today / A total of 31 arrests made so far in London following clashes / Soldier Lee Rigby's family have appealed for calm in the wake of his death / Ed Miliband signs letter condemning rise in anti-Muslim violence

Rival protesters clashed outside the Palace of Westminster today, as BNP supporters and anti-fascist campaigners came to blows.

At least one man, a BNP activist, suffered a large cut to the nose after fierce shouting from either side of gated barriers spilled into violence.

Dozens of police sought to break up the disorder, at around 1pm today, after the chanting escalated.

Police sniffer dogs were also deployed to help calm the situation, as tempers flared.

The fighting came despite calls for peace from police and the family of soldier Lee Rigby in the wake of his death.

The 25-year-old's family yesterday stressed that the young soldier would not have wanted violent attacks to be carried out in his name, and urged protesters to remain peaceful. » | James Rush | Saturday, June 01, 2013

I Was a BNP Activist ... and Converted to Islam
THE GUARDIAN: I hated all foreigners but feared Muslims the most. I grew up in the 1960s in Gateshead, in a predominantly white area; I can't remember seeing an Asian face there. As a family we were not religious. We only went to weddings, funerals and christenings. I was not interested in school, either. You didn't need to stay on because you were more or less guaranteed a job in the mines, steelworks or shipyards. When I was 16, all my friends were British National Party activists. It was a cool thing to do, and I joined in, too. I wanted to shock, to rebel. We would get together, drink, listen to music, chase girls and go out Paki-bashing. That wasn't a phrase we considered bad or wrong.

I remember my first time; it was a Saturday night and we had been drinking. We went into an Asian area and came across a lad of about 17. We started chanting - the usual thing, "Go back to your own country" - and then went after him. There were about 10 of us, and we kicked and punched him. When we ran away, I remember, we were laughing. I don't know what happened to him, and at the time I wouldn't have cared: I was in a group and we had camaraderie.

By the time I was 19 I was growing out of the BNP. I moved to London for work and stopped going to meetings. But I still hated all foreigners, especially Muslims. Over the next few years I became involved with people who went to Muslim meetings in Hyde Park, mainly to cause trouble.

Then, one day in 1989, I was walking past a second[-]hand book stall by the Royal Festival Hall when a cover caught my eye: it was the most beautiful picture, in the most gorgeous colours, of a building. I didn't know what the book was, but it was only 20p so I bought it. I thought I'd buy a cheap frame and have a nice picture for my wall. I had no idea until I got home that I had bought the Qur'an. » | Muhammad Islam | Saturday, September 24, 2005

Ken Livingstone Quits Mayoral Debate Over BNP Participation
THE INDEPENDENT: Ken Livingstone has pulled out of a BBC mayoral election debate after it emerged a British National Party candidate would be taking part.

The former London mayor said it was a "point of principle" that he would not share a platform with the far-right party.

Labour's candidate also told BNP voters he did not want their second preference votes when they get to the ballot box in next month's vote.

The debate, due to be hosted by BBC London 94.9 on Monday, is the latest in a series of head-to-head mayoral broadcasts but most have featured just the top three or four candidates.

Mr Livingstone said: "I have long held to the belief in no platform for the far right. The far right want to destroy our democracy and stand for the elimination of our basic rights.

"They cannot be treated as a legitimate part of politics. » | Sam Lister | Friday, April 20, 2012

BNP 'Koran Burning' Charge Dropped
PRESS ASSOCIATION: A British National Party election candidate accused of publicly burning a copy of the Koran has been freed after the charge against him was unexpectedly dropped.

Sion Owens, 41, of Bonymaen, Swansea, South Wales, was arrested and charged at the weekend under Section 29 of the Public Order Act.

The BNP candidate in next month's Welsh Assembly elections spent the weekend in custody before appearing at Swansea Magistrates' Court.

He has been warned that police are continuing to investigate the alleged incident and to expect further action.

It is understood that his release was due to a technicality regarding the Act under which he was arrested and charged. » | UKPA | Monday, April 11, 2011

Related »

BNP Election Candidate Arrested Over Qur'an Burning
THE OBSERVER: Footage leaked to the Observer shows Welsh Assembly candidate setting fire to Islamic holy book in his garden

A senior member of the BNP who burned a copy of the Qur'an in his garden has been arrested following an investigation by the Observer.

Footage of the burning shows Sion Owens, 40, from south Wales and a candidate for the forthcoming Welsh Assembly elections, soaking the Qur'an in kerosene and setting fire to it.

A video clip of the act, leaked to the Observer and passed immediately to South Wales police, provoked fierce criticism from the government.

A statement from the Home Office said: "The government absolutely condemns the burning of the Qur'an. It is fundamentally offensive to the values of our pluralist and tolerant society.

"We equally condemn any attempts to create divisions between communities and are committed to ensuring that everyone has the freedom to live their lives free from fear of targeted hostility or harassment on the grounds of a particular characteristic, such as religion." » | Mark Townsend | The Guardian | Saturday, April 09, 2011

General Synod Backs Ban on Clergy Joining the BNP
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Church of England has backed draft legislation paving the way for a ban on clergy membership of the BNP - in spite of warnings about creating ''martyrs'' to free speech.

Members of the General Synod voted to press ahead with an amendment to discipline procedures making it ''unbecoming'' or ''inappropriate'' conduct for clergy to be members of a political party with policies and activities declared ''incompatible'' with Church teaching on race equality.

Under the proposals, Church of England bishops would make a declaration on parties or organisations deemed incompatible with Christian teaching.

Vasantha Gnanadoss, a Metropolitan Police civilian worker, and General Synod member who first won backing for the ban two years ago, welcomed the amendment and a new statement on race equality from the bishops.

This put the Church's mission to ''resist racism'' on a firm footing, she told the Synod.

''It is very important when the English Defence League and others are posing a fresh threat to the well-being of our diverse society. I hope that this statement will be used widely,'' she said. >>> | Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Multiculturalism: Sadiq Khan Smears David Cameron
MAIL ON SUNDAY: A major row over Islamic extremism erupted last night after Labour accused David Cameron of being a far-Right ‘propagandist’.

Sadiq Khan made the incendiary remark in response to an outspoken speech by the Prime Minister attacking ‘state multiculturalism’, calling for a stronger British identity and signalling a crackdown on Muslim groups.

Mr Khan, the Shadow Justice Secretary, infuriated Downing Street by claiming that Mr Cameron was ‘writing propaganda for the English Defence League’. The EDL is an anti-Islamist street protest movement that numbers BNP supporters among its members.

Labour MPs then weighed in by accusing Mr Cameron of inflammatory timing for making his speech on the day when the EDL was marching in Luton.

But Tory Chairman Baroness Warsi described Mr Khan’s remarks as an attempt to ‘smear’ the Prime Minister as a Right-wing extremist.

‘This is outrageous and irresponsible,’ she said.

‘David Cameron has made it clear he wants to unite Britain around our common values, and he has done so in measured language.

'It is right that we make it clear: extremism and Islam are not the same thing. Mr Khan ran Ed Miliband’s leadership campaign. He must apologise and Mr Miliband needs to disown his colleague’s baseless accusation.’ Fury as Labour ‘smears’ David Cameron after he attacks multiculturalism >>> Glen Owen | Sunday, February 06, 2011

BNP Leader Defeats Contempt Bid
SKY NEWS: BNP leader Nick Griffin fights off a bid to have him declared guilty of contempt of court.


BBC: BNP leader Nick Griffin wins court contempt battle: BNP leader Nick Griffin has fought off a bid to have him declared guilty of contempt of court. >>> | Friday, December 17, 2010

Muslim Community Leader 'Made Up Story He Was Kidnapped by BNP', Court Told
THE TELEGRAPH: A Muslim community leader, Noor Ramjanally, who claimed he was kidnapped by members of the British National Party was caught out lying by covert surveillance cameras designed to protect him, a court heard.

The 36 year-old falsely claimed he was abducted at knifepoint by racist thugs from the far-right wing political party after being subjected to hate mail and an arson attack, Chelmsford Crown Court was told.

He had told police he had feared for his life when he was kidnapped in broad daylight from his home in Loughton, Essex on August 24 last year and bundled into a car, it was claimed.

Ramjanally then claimed he was driven to nearby Epping Forest where he was threatened and warned to stop holding prayer sessions he had organised.

But he was caught out lying after detectives viewed CTTV footage from secret cameras installed to protect him after his previous claims that he was being targeted by racist opponents, prosecutors said. >>> Andrew Hough | Wednesday, June 09, 2010

BNP Man Punches Asian on Campaign Trail as Online Chief Denounces Griffin
TIMES ONLINE: British National Party's election campaign descends into violence as a top official is filmed attacking an Asian man

The British National Party’s election campaign descended into violence yesterday when one of its top officials was filmed attacking an Asian man. Robert Bailey, the far-right party’s group leader at Barking and Dagenham Council, was shown punching the man and trying to kick him in the head. Mr Bailey had retaliated after he was spat on during canvassing.

Earlier The Times revealed that the head of the party’s online operation had resigned, taking its website down with him. Simon Bennett directed BNP traffic to his personal site, which contained a diatribe against Nick Griffin, the BNP leader, and other senior figures. A day before the election, Mr Bennett, 41, depicted an amateur operation and an organisation that, he claimed, wasted membership fees and donations. He accused Mr Griffin and James Dowson, the BNP election fundraiser, of being “pathetic, desperate and incompetent”.

It is understood that Mr Bennett took the website down briefly on Tuesday afternoon. It was reactivated quickly, but his comments had already gone viral on a number of websites. >>> Fiona Hamilton, London Correspondent | Thursday, May 06, 2010

Protest gegen BNP: Hakenkreuz auf Parlament in London gestrahlt
KRONEN ZEITUNG: Als Warnung vor einem möglichen Erfolg der Rechtsextremen bei der britischen Parlamentswahl am Donnerstag haben Aktivisten ein Hakenkreuz an das Parlament in London gestrahlt. "Zeit der Entscheidung. Haltet die extreme Rechte draußen", schrieben sie in der Nacht zu Montag mit Lichtstrahlen neben das weiß-rote Hakenkreuz an die Fassade des Parlaments. >>> | Montag, 03. Mai 2010

BRISBANE TIMES: Swastika beamed on to UK parliament: Campaigners against the far-right in Britain on Monday projected an image of a swastika on the side of parliament, amid fears extremists could be voted in at this week's general election >>> AFP | Monday, May 03, 2010

On Outskirts Of London, Far-Right Seeks Foothold

BNP Launches Election Manifesto

British Far Right Party Told to Stop Using Marmite in Ads
THE GLOBE AND MAIL: Maker of the yeasty spread says it did not authorize the use of Marmite's image by the anti-immigration British National Party

The maker of Marmite spread is demanding that a far-right party stop using the product's image in election ads.

Marmite's owner, Unilever NV, says it did not authorize the use of Marmite's image by the British National Party. A jar of the yeast spread appears without explanation in the upper left corner of the online broadcast. >>> The Associated Press | Thursday, April 22, 2010

Tweedledee Tweedledum Debate Ignores All Important Issues
BNP: Last night’s Tweedledee Tweedledum TV debate between the leaders of the three old-gang parties ignored every single issue vital to Britain’s future, including the EU, multi-culturalism and the erosion of British identity through mass immigration, said British National Party leader Nick Griffin.

Reacting to the debate, which drew only slightly more TV viewers than the BNP’s appearance on Question Time, Mr Griffin said all three participants went out of their way to avoid discussing any of the real issues.

“Although the very first question was on immigration, all the public were given was more meaningless platitudes about points-based systems and yet more immigration,” Mr Griffin said.

“No-one discussed the figures, which show that given current immigration levels and birth rates, British people are destined to become a minority in Britain within the next 50 years, and most likely within 30,” he said. >>> | Friday, April 16, 2010