BNP Leader criticises Islam and defends KKK
The Klu Klux Klan had a past head defended and Islam was criticised by Nick Griffin, the leader of the British National Party during the televised Question Time program yesterday.
Mr. Griffin also called homosexual men ‘creepy’ and asserted that Winston Churchill would be a supporter of the BNP if he were alive today. The audience was mainly hostile to his statements and prior to filming there were protests outside the BBC TV centre in London’s west where minor scuffles were reported by police with anti-fascist groups.
The BBC was accused of legitimising the BNP by allowing Griffin to state his views but the broadcaster claimed it was merely fulfilling its duty as an independent media provider. Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, also appeared on the show and suggested that it was the first time the views of the right-wing party had been openly aired to a neutral audience, adding that the effect could be catastrophic for the BNP.
Additional panelists said in interviews after the show that Griffin had been badly exposed as someone who simply has hatred towards certain peoples rather than any sort of political stance. Chris Huhne of the Liberal Democrats said his credibility would be severely damaged by his performance.
In his defense, Griffin claimed the show had been more of a witch-hunt against him than Question Time. He argued that he was only able to respond to some two dozen allegations leveled at him during the taping and that the show was grossly unfair.
Griffin was roundly booed by the audience at the start of the show and was repeatedly attacked by all and sundry. He was careful to defend his earlier claims that Islam was a wicked faith saying simply that it did not fit with British values. Griffin did confirm that he and David Duke, a former KKK leader, shared similar views. Griffin said he supported non-violent action and had been trying to win some younger people from the KKK. Griffin also refused to elaborate on controversial Holocaust claims saying that EU law prevented him making any statement.
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