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BNP conference: Protest greets Nick Griffin | BNP conference: Protest greets Nick Griffin |
(about 6 hours later) | |
About 30 people protested outside the British National Party's conference in Liverpool and barracked leader and MEP Nick Griffin as he arrived. | About 30 people protested outside the British National Party's conference in Liverpool and barracked leader and MEP Nick Griffin as he arrived. |
The protesters also shouted "fascist" and "Nazi scum" at party members who gathered at the Wavertree venue to discuss policy. | The protesters also shouted "fascist" and "Nazi scum" at party members who gathered at the Wavertree venue to discuss policy. |
The anti-immigration party has struggled with debts, infighting and poor results in May's local elections. | The anti-immigration party has struggled with debts, infighting and poor results in May's local elections. |
But Mr Griffin praised "hard core" delegates for attending the conference. | But Mr Griffin praised "hard core" delegates for attending the conference. |
The protest was organised by local councillors and the Liverpool Anti-Fascists group. | The protest was organised by local councillors and the Liverpool Anti-Fascists group. |
Liverpool City Council leader Joe Anderson, who spoke to Mr Griffin when he arrived, said afterwards: "(The BNP) don't speak on behalf of any significant number of people in the city. Every time the BNP stands here they are resoundingly beaten. | |
"Their negative, destructive policies are not wanted here." | "Their negative, destructive policies are not wanted here." |
Several police officers were stationed near the venue and at the end of an access road. | Several police officers were stationed near the venue and at the end of an access road. |
Merseyside Police described the protest as small and peaceful. | Merseyside Police described the protest as small and peaceful. |
"Merseyside Police is committed to supporting the facilitation of legitimate political party conferences. The force recognises the right to demonstrate peacefully and will facilitate peaceful demonstration," a police spokeswoman said. | "Merseyside Police is committed to supporting the facilitation of legitimate political party conferences. The force recognises the right to demonstrate peacefully and will facilitate peaceful demonstration," a police spokeswoman said. |
Speaking to about 70 people inside the venue, Mr Griffin, who represents the North West in the Euopean Parliament, described the protesters as "over-aged students". | Speaking to about 70 people inside the venue, Mr Griffin, who represents the North West in the Euopean Parliament, described the protesters as "over-aged students". |
"I'm the MEP because thousands of people voted for me because they appreciate the fact that the BNP talks about issues the other parties won't talk about," he said. | "I'm the MEP because thousands of people voted for me because they appreciate the fact that the BNP talks about issues the other parties won't talk about," he said. |
He called those present at the conference the "hard core" of the party. | He called those present at the conference the "hard core" of the party. |
"Here today are the people willing to travel, the ones willing to spend the whole weekend talking about policy," he said. | "Here today are the people willing to travel, the ones willing to spend the whole weekend talking about policy," he said. |
The delegates backed a motion supporting quantitative easing. | The delegates backed a motion supporting quantitative easing. |
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