This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8321157.stm

The article has changed 28 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 20 Version 21
Angry scenes face Griffin at BBC Angry scenes face Griffin at BBC
(10 minutes later)
BNP leader Nick Griffin has insisted he is "not a Nazi" during his first appearance on the BBC's Question Time.BNP leader Nick Griffin has insisted he is "not a Nazi" during his first appearance on the BBC's Question Time.
The political discussion programme was recorded as anti-fascist campaigners protested outside Television Centre.The political discussion programme was recorded as anti-fascist campaigners protested outside Television Centre.
Mr Griffin was booed at the start of the recording and accused of having "poison politics" as he was attacked by fellow panellists and the audience. Mr Griffin was booed at the start of the recording and accused of trying to "poison politics" as he was attacked by fellow panellists and the audience.
He said he had been "demonised" and repeatedly denied saying things which have been attributed to him.He said he had been "demonised" and repeatedly denied saying things which have been attributed to him.
Watch Question Time live from BBC One (UK users only)
The BBC has defended the invitation to the leader of the anti-immigration party to appear on the programme, saying it had a duty to be impartial.The BBC has defended the invitation to the leader of the anti-immigration party to appear on the programme, saying it had a duty to be impartial.
During the show the panel covered topics including whether it was fair for the BNP to use images of Winston Churchill in their campaigns and whether immigration policy had fuelled the BNP's popularity.During the show the panel covered topics including whether it was fair for the BNP to use images of Winston Churchill in their campaigns and whether immigration policy had fuelled the BNP's popularity.
'Demonised''Demonised'
Justice Secretary Jack Straw said what distinguished the BNP from other parties was that other parties "have a moral compass", adding: "Nazism didn't and neither I'm afraid does the BNP."Justice Secretary Jack Straw said what distinguished the BNP from other parties was that other parties "have a moral compass", adding: "Nazism didn't and neither I'm afraid does the BNP."
Mr Griffin, who said his father had been in the RAF during World War II, said he had been "relentlessly attacked and demonised... I am not a Nazi and never have been".Mr Griffin, who said his father had been in the RAF during World War II, said he had been "relentlessly attacked and demonised... I am not a Nazi and never have been".
If there is a case for censorship, it should be debated and decided in Parliament. Political censorship cannot be outsourced to the BBC or anyone else Mark ThompsonBBC director general Read Mark Thompson's article Profile: Nick Griffin Analysis: Griffin gets his say If there is a case for censorship, it should be debated and decided in Parliament. Political censorship cannot be outsourced to the BBC or anyone else Mark ThompsonBBC director general Read Mark Thompson's article Profile: Nick Griffin Analysis: Griffin gets his say
Mr Griffin repeatedly denied he had said many of the things he had been quoted as saying including a quote attributed to him in the Mail on Sunday that Adolf Hitler went "a bit too far".Mr Griffin repeatedly denied he had said many of the things he had been quoted as saying including a quote attributed to him in the Mail on Sunday that Adolf Hitler went "a bit too far".
He claimed his efforts to change the BNP meant he was unpopular with the far right. "There are Nazis in Britain and they loathe me," he said.He claimed his efforts to change the BNP meant he was unpopular with the far right. "There are Nazis in Britain and they loathe me," he said.
He admitted sharing a platform with former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke - but claimed he had been trying to win over "youngsters" Duke was trying to "lead astray".He admitted sharing a platform with former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke - but claimed he had been trying to win over "youngsters" Duke was trying to "lead astray".
But Mr Straw said when anybody put a specific quotation to Mr Griffin he tried to "wriggle out of it".But Mr Straw said when anybody put a specific quotation to Mr Griffin he tried to "wriggle out of it".
'Not racist''Not racist'
Conservative frontbencher Baroness Warsi said Mr Griffin was "a thoroughly deceptive man".Conservative frontbencher Baroness Warsi said Mr Griffin was "a thoroughly deceptive man".
Asked whether a misguided immigration policy had fuelled the BNP's popularity Mr Straw said he did not think it had and said he thought the BNP had been boosted by discontent with the main parties over issues like expenses.Asked whether a misguided immigration policy had fuelled the BNP's popularity Mr Straw said he did not think it had and said he thought the BNP had been boosted by discontent with the main parties over issues like expenses.
But Baroness Warsi said politicians had a responsibility to take on the BNP on the issue of immigration: "Many people who vote for the BNP are not racist and therefore what we have to do is go out and say to these people as mainstream political parties we are prepared to listen."But Baroness Warsi said politicians had a responsibility to take on the BNP on the issue of immigration: "Many people who vote for the BNP are not racist and therefore what we have to do is go out and say to these people as mainstream political parties we are prepared to listen."
HAVE YOUR SAYIf Nick Griffin's appearance on Question Time has the ultimate effect of shaking the 'great' british public free of their political apathy and encourages them to ask probing questions, then his appearance will be a good thingJohn Walker, Belfast Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYIf Nick Griffin's appearance on Question Time has the ultimate effect of shaking the 'great' british public free of their political apathy and encourages them to ask probing questions, then his appearance will be a good thingJohn Walker, Belfast Send us your comments
Mr Grffin blamed the "political elite" for imposing "an enormous multicultural experiment on the British people".Mr Grffin blamed the "political elite" for imposing "an enormous multicultural experiment on the British people".
But his references to Britain's "indigenous people" prompted other members of the panel to challenge him to say he meant white people.But his references to Britain's "indigenous people" prompted other members of the panel to challenge him to say he meant white people.
Mr Griffin said the colour was "irrelevant" and said Mr Straw would not dare go to New Zealand and tell a Maori he was not "indigenous". "We are the aborigines here," he claimed.Mr Griffin said the colour was "irrelevant" and said Mr Straw would not dare go to New Zealand and tell a Maori he was not "indigenous". "We are the aborigines here," he claimed.
'Red carpet''Red carpet'
But he was accused of making up facts. He was also challenged by several black and Asian members of the audience.But he was accused of making up facts. He was also challenged by several black and Asian members of the audience.
One man asked Mr Griffin: "Where do you want me to go? I love this country, I'm part of this country."One man asked Mr Griffin: "Where do you want me to go? I love this country, I'm part of this country."
While the programme, which is being broadcast at 2235 BST, was being recorded the anti-BNP protest continued, with the whole west London BBC building "locked down" for more than an hour and the road outside closed.While the programme, which is being broadcast at 2235 BST, was being recorded the anti-BNP protest continued, with the whole west London BBC building "locked down" for more than an hour and the road outside closed.
Protesters storm into BBC Televison CentreProtesters storm into BBC Televison Centre
The Metropolitan Police say six protesters were arrested and three police officers injured in the protests.The Metropolitan Police say six protesters were arrested and three police officers injured in the protests.
Mr Griffin accused the protesters of "attacking the rights of millions of people to listen to what I've got to say and listen to me being called to account by other politicians".Mr Griffin accused the protesters of "attacking the rights of millions of people to listen to what I've got to say and listen to me being called to account by other politicians".
Barriers breachedBarriers breached
But Weyman Bennett from Unite Against Fascism accused the BBC of "rolling out the red carpet" to Mr Griffin and said his appearance on the flagship discussion programme "will lead to the growth of a fascist party" and promote violence against ethnic minorities.But Weyman Bennett from Unite Against Fascism accused the BBC of "rolling out the red carpet" to Mr Griffin and said his appearance on the flagship discussion programme "will lead to the growth of a fascist party" and promote violence against ethnic minorities.
The crowd gathered at the main gates of TV centre in west London from mid afternoon. At about 1630 BST security guards opened a gate to let a car into the front car park about 25 people rushed forward and jumped over the barriers, one of which broke, and ran towards the building.The crowd gathered at the main gates of TV centre in west London from mid afternoon. At about 1630 BST security guards opened a gate to let a car into the front car park about 25 people rushed forward and jumped over the barriers, one of which broke, and ran towards the building.
It's not for the BBC to censor and say they can't be on Mark ByfordBBC deputy director general Griffin slot sparks angry scenes It's not for the BBC to censor and say they can't be on Mark ByfordBBC deputy director general Griffin slot sparks angry scenes class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/8321578.stm">In quotes: Reaction to BNP leader
There were also protests outside BBC buildings in Bristol, Liverpool, Nottingham, Glasgow and Belfast.There were also protests outside BBC buildings in Bristol, Liverpool, Nottingham, Glasgow and Belfast.
Earlier on Thursday BBC director general Mark Thompson said it was up to the government to ban the BNP from the airwaves if it felt Mr Griffin should not be allowed to take part in Question Time.Earlier on Thursday BBC director general Mark Thompson said it was up to the government to ban the BNP from the airwaves if it felt Mr Griffin should not be allowed to take part in Question Time.
Some high profile Labour politicians - including cabinet ministers Peter Hain and Alan Johnson - have said they opposed the BBC decision to allow the anti-immigrant party a place on Question Time.Some high profile Labour politicians - including cabinet ministers Peter Hain and Alan Johnson - have said they opposed the BBC decision to allow the anti-immigrant party a place on Question Time.
But Prime Minister Gordon Brown said it was a matter for the corporation and he did not want to interfere with it, while Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw said that most of the cabinet did not share Mr Hain's view.But Prime Minister Gordon Brown said it was a matter for the corporation and he did not want to interfere with it, while Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw said that most of the cabinet did not share Mr Hain's view.
BBC Deputy Director General Mark Byford had earlier defended the BBC's decision to invite Mr Griffin, whose party gained its first Euro MPs this year, on to the flagship political programme.BBC Deputy Director General Mark Byford had earlier defended the BBC's decision to invite Mr Griffin, whose party gained its first Euro MPs this year, on to the flagship political programme.
He said: "They should have the right to be heard, be challenged, and for the public who take part in Question Time and the viewers to make up their own minds about the views of the BNP. It's not for the BBC to censor and say they can't be on."He said: "They should have the right to be heard, be challenged, and for the public who take part in Question Time and the viewers to make up their own minds about the views of the BNP. It's not for the BBC to censor and say they can't be on."
You can watch Question Time on BBC One at 2235 BST and on the BBC News website.