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'My Arrest Was Political' - BNP Leader

Thread ID: 16143 | Posts: 1 | Started: 2005-01-01

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Centinel [OP]

2005-01-01 21:44 | User Profile

From The Scotsman: [url]http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3887498[/url]

Tue 14 Dec 2004

7:23pm (UK)

'My Arrest Was Political' - BNP Leader

By Dave Higgens, PA

The leader of the British National Party tonight claimed his arrest by police investigating racism in the organisation was politically motivated.

Nick Griffin, 45, was arrested at his home in mid-Wales this morning by West Yorkshire Police on suspicion of incitement to commit racial hatred.

His arrest came as part of a long running investigation into the BBC programme Secret Agent, which featured undercover filming of BNP activists.

Mr Griffin was released on bail almost 12 hours after his arrest and was greeted by dozens of cheering supporters as he emerged from Halifax Police Station, in West Yorkshire.

Speaking outside the building he said: “It’s to demonise us in our electoral chances.

“After that the CPS know the charges against me won’t stick. They’re going to be dropped quietly after the election.

“This is an electoral scam to get the Muslim block vote back to the Labour Party.”

He added: “The police have nothing to do with this. The CPS, David Blunkett, John Prescott, Tony Blair are having a go at a dangerous political rival.”

He told waiting reporters he was woken at about 6.15am this morning by the police who “started to raid the house“.

He said he was then driven to West Yorkshire where he was shown videos of some of his speeches .

In the BBC documentary father-of-four Mr Griffin, chairman of the BNP since 1999, condemned Islam as a “vicious, wicked faith“.

Mr Griffin was the 12th person to be arrested by West Yorkshire Police in connection with the programme.

Also today, three Bradford men, aged 29, 33, and 23, were today charged with racially aggravated intentional harassment.

The trio are due to appear before Leeds Magistrates’ Court on December 16.

About 50 supporters waited for Mr Griffin as he was being interviewed in Halifax.

They gathered outside the front door waving placards and chanting slogans.

As Mr Griffin emerged from the police station the demonstrators sang “I’m Dreaming Of A White Christmas“.

Tonight, a West Yorkshire police spokeswoman said: “A 45-year-old man arrested this morning outside the force area on suspicion of incitement to racial hatred has now been released on bail pending further inquires.”