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BNP wins seat in London Assembly BNP wins seat in London Assembly
(about 9 hours later)
The British National Party has won its first seat on the London Assembly after passing the 5% voter threshold.The British National Party has won its first seat on the London Assembly after passing the 5% voter threshold.
Candidate Richard Barnbrook, leader of the BNP group on Barking and Dagenham Council and a mayoral candidate, will take up one of the 25 assembly seats.Candidate Richard Barnbrook, leader of the BNP group on Barking and Dagenham Council and a mayoral candidate, will take up one of the 25 assembly seats.
BNP spokesman Simon Darby welcomed the win: "We've witnessed the first major politician elected not for telling lies but for telling the truth."BNP spokesman Simon Darby welcomed the win: "We've witnessed the first major politician elected not for telling lies but for telling the truth."
But critics said it was a victory for "hatred, violence and stupidity".But critics said it was a victory for "hatred, violence and stupidity".
London voters elected 14 of the London Assembly members directly, and the remaining 11 divided between the parties in proportion to London-wide votes.London voters elected 14 of the London Assembly members directly, and the remaining 11 divided between the parties in proportion to London-wide votes.
Mr Barnbrook, who came fifth in the mayoral race with 69,000 votes, had promised to give the "real people of London" a voice.Mr Barnbrook, who came fifth in the mayoral race with 69,000 votes, had promised to give the "real people of London" a voice.
He said he believed immigrants who have arrived in the past 15 years were taking more than they were giving.He said he believed immigrants who have arrived in the past 15 years were taking more than they were giving.
The BNP have had a number of councillors elected in recent years, but until these elections had never had anyone elected to a higher profile position.
The BNP campaign had prompted other politicians to call for voters not to elect the party.The BNP campaign had prompted other politicians to call for voters not to elect the party.
Campaign group Hope Not Hate said: "A BNP victory means hatred, violence and stupidity."Campaign group Hope Not Hate said: "A BNP victory means hatred, violence and stupidity."