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05/11/2009
Case Fails Over Attack On BNP
It has emerged today that a court has cleared a man of racially abusing British National Party (BNP) Leader, Nick Griffin - a result the BNP leader described as "unfortunate".
Asian Tauriq Khalid, 23, denied shouting 'white b*******' at a group of far-right demonstrators in his home town of Burnley, Lancashire, in November 2008.
This week, a jury of five women and seven men cleared Khalid of one count of using racially abusive threatening behaviour after they deliberated for 45 minutes at the end of a three-day trial at Preston Crown Court.
The court was told by Khalid that he was shouting abuse as he drove past a gathering of far-right BNP demonstrators outside Burnley police station.
He told the jury he stopped his silver Vauxhall Astra and shouted "Nick Griffin, you f****** w*****" and made a V-sign with his fingers.
He also admitted he shouted several times "get the f*** out of Burnley, you're not welcome here".
He told the jury: "I shouldn't have done what I done really, it was just a spur of the moment thing."
Mr Griffin, giving evidence on the first day of the trial, claimed he was called a "white b******" by a young Asian man in a silver Astra.
He said the man "leaned out of the car and pointed at me and made a gun and gang gesture".
Mr Griffin also claimed the defendant threatened him by shouting "I'm going to...".
He said that although he did not hear the words, he interpreted them as a threat to kill or shoot him, prompting him to leave the demonstration fearing for his safety.
Khalid was arrested after one of the protesters took a note of his car's registration number and complained to police.
Mr Griffin said the verdict was "unfortunate" but that he accepted the jury's decision.
"I know it's the wrong decision - juries sometimes get it wrong - but I'm not going to lose any sleep over it."
(BMcC/KMcA)
Asian Tauriq Khalid, 23, denied shouting 'white b*******' at a group of far-right demonstrators in his home town of Burnley, Lancashire, in November 2008.
This week, a jury of five women and seven men cleared Khalid of one count of using racially abusive threatening behaviour after they deliberated for 45 minutes at the end of a three-day trial at Preston Crown Court.
The court was told by Khalid that he was shouting abuse as he drove past a gathering of far-right BNP demonstrators outside Burnley police station.
He told the jury he stopped his silver Vauxhall Astra and shouted "Nick Griffin, you f****** w*****" and made a V-sign with his fingers.
He also admitted he shouted several times "get the f*** out of Burnley, you're not welcome here".
He told the jury: "I shouldn't have done what I done really, it was just a spur of the moment thing."
Mr Griffin, giving evidence on the first day of the trial, claimed he was called a "white b******" by a young Asian man in a silver Astra.
He said the man "leaned out of the car and pointed at me and made a gun and gang gesture".
Mr Griffin also claimed the defendant threatened him by shouting "I'm going to...".
He said that although he did not hear the words, he interpreted them as a threat to kill or shoot him, prompting him to leave the demonstration fearing for his safety.
Khalid was arrested after one of the protesters took a note of his car's registration number and complained to police.
Mr Griffin said the verdict was "unfortunate" but that he accepted the jury's decision.
"I know it's the wrong decision - juries sometimes get it wrong - but I'm not going to lose any sleep over it."
(BMcC/KMcA)
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22 July 2014
Leader Of The BNP Steps Down
The leader of the British National Party (BNP) has stepped down. Nick Griffin said that "fifteen years is more than long enough" and he "initially hoped to hand the responsibility over several years ago". Adam Walker is now the Acting Leader of the party, pending the routine leadership election due under the BNP's Constitution next year.
Leader Of The BNP Steps Down
The leader of the British National Party (BNP) has stepped down. Nick Griffin said that "fifteen years is more than long enough" and he "initially hoped to hand the responsibility over several years ago". Adam Walker is now the Acting Leader of the party, pending the routine leadership election due under the BNP's Constitution next year.
09 June 2009
BNP Leader Griffin Pelted With Eggs
British National Party leader Nick Griffin has been forced to abandon a press conference outside Parliament after he was pelted with eggs. Mr Griffin, who was yesterday elected an MEP for the North West of England, was guided to his vehicle by his bodyguards and promptly drove off.
BNP Leader Griffin Pelted With Eggs
British National Party leader Nick Griffin has been forced to abandon a press conference outside Parliament after he was pelted with eggs. Mr Griffin, who was yesterday elected an MEP for the North West of England, was guided to his vehicle by his bodyguards and promptly drove off.
02 October 2014
Former Chairman Of BNP Expelled
The former Chairman of the British National Party (BNP), Nick Griffin, has been expelled from membership. A Conduct Committee established by new Party Chairman, Adam Walker, took the step in a letter to Mr Griffin on Wednesday. Mr Jefferson of the Conduct Committee stated: "This has been a difficult decision to make and not one taken lightly.
Former Chairman Of BNP Expelled
The former Chairman of the British National Party (BNP), Nick Griffin, has been expelled from membership. A Conduct Committee established by new Party Chairman, Adam Walker, took the step in a letter to Mr Griffin on Wednesday. Mr Jefferson of the Conduct Committee stated: "This has been a difficult decision to make and not one taken lightly.
22 July 2010
BNP Leader Banned From Royal Garden Party
British National Party (BNP) leader Nick Griffin has been banned from attending a garden party at Buckingham Palace today, over claims that he "overtly" used his invitation for political purposes. Mr Griffin received the invitation in his capacity as a Member of the European Parliament for the North west.
BNP Leader Banned From Royal Garden Party
British National Party (BNP) leader Nick Griffin has been banned from attending a garden party at Buckingham Palace today, over claims that he "overtly" used his invitation for political purposes. Mr Griffin received the invitation in his capacity as a Member of the European Parliament for the North west.
23 October 2009
BNP Enjoys 'Oxygen Of Publicity'
A right-wing minority political party is celebrating this week after a controversial TV appearance by its leader has sparked massive nationwide publicity. The British National Party leader Nick Griffin, said yesterday that he is confident his appearance on last night's BBC Question Time will have won his party the support of millions in the UK.
BNP Enjoys 'Oxygen Of Publicity'
A right-wing minority political party is celebrating this week after a controversial TV appearance by its leader has sparked massive nationwide publicity. The British National Party leader Nick Griffin, said yesterday that he is confident his appearance on last night's BBC Question Time will have won his party the support of millions in the UK.
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