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BNP 'could face court injunction' BNP 'could face court injunction'
(10 minutes later)
The British National Party could face legal action over its membership policies, the the Equality and Human Rights Commission has said.The British National Party could face legal action over its membership policies, the the Equality and Human Rights Commission has said.
The commission said it had written to the party over possible breaches of the law in the BNP's constitution, membership rules and recruitment.The commission said it had written to the party over possible breaches of the law in the BNP's constitution, membership rules and recruitment.
The BNP was asked to undertake to make changes by 20 July or face a potential legal injunction. It asked the BNP to pledge to comply with the Race Relations Act by 20 July or face a potential legal injunction.
On June 4, the BNP won two MEPs in the European Parliament elections.On June 4, the BNP won two MEPs in the European Parliament elections.
In a statement, the commission said the BNP's constitution and membership criteria appeared to discriminate on the grounds of race and colour, in breach of the Race Relations Act.In a statement, the commission said the BNP's constitution and membership criteria appeared to discriminate on the grounds of race and colour, in breach of the Race Relations Act.
The party's rules appeared to restrict membership to those within what the BNP regarded as particular "ethnic groups", the commission added.The party's rules appeared to restrict membership to those within what the BNP regarded as particular "ethnic groups", the commission added.
'Deliberate omission'
It also said the party's website asked job applicants to supply a membership number, which appeared to be in breach of legislation banning the "refusal or deliberate omission to offer employment on the basis of non-membership of an organisation".
The statement added: "The commission is therefore concerned that the BNP may have acted, and be acting, illegally."
John Wadham, the commission's legal director, insisted it had a duty to take action against possible breaches of anti-discrimination laws.John Wadham, the commission's legal director, insisted it had a duty to take action against possible breaches of anti-discrimination laws.
He said: "The legal advice we have received indicates that the British National Party's constitution and membership criteria, employment practices and provision of services to constituents and the public may breach discrimination laws which all political parties are legally obliged to uphold."He said: "The legal advice we have received indicates that the British National Party's constitution and membership criteria, employment practices and provision of services to constituents and the public may breach discrimination laws which all political parties are legally obliged to uphold."
The commission said it had received around 50 recent calls from members of the public about the membership policy of the BNP, although it is understood it was already investigating the party.
On Monday, the Department for Children, Schools and Families said it was considering banning teachers in England from joining the BNP.On Monday, the Department for Children, Schools and Families said it was considering banning teachers in England from joining the BNP.