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BNP's Nick Griffin declared bankrupt BNP's Nick Griffin declared bankrupt
(35 minutes later)
British National Party (BNP) leader Nick Griffin MEP has been declared bankrupt.British National Party (BNP) leader Nick Griffin MEP has been declared bankrupt.
A bankruptcy order was made at Welshpool County Court on Thursday.A bankruptcy order was made at Welshpool County Court on Thursday.
Mr Griffin tweeted: "Being bankrupt does NOT prevent me being or standing as an MEP. It does free me from financial worries."Mr Griffin tweeted: "Being bankrupt does NOT prevent me being or standing as an MEP. It does free me from financial worries."
He added: "I am now turning the experience to the benefit of hard-up constituents by producing a booklet on dealing with debt."He added: "I am now turning the experience to the benefit of hard-up constituents by producing a booklet on dealing with debt."
Mr Griffin is planning to stand as a candidate in May's election for the European Parliament.Mr Griffin is planning to stand as a candidate in May's election for the European Parliament.
A statement on the BNP website said the bankruptcy petition was presented for judgement by Mr Griffin's former solicitors, Gilbert Davies and Partners.A statement on the BNP website said the bankruptcy petition was presented for judgement by Mr Griffin's former solicitors, Gilbert Davies and Partners.
The firm once represented Mr Griffin, including during the early stages of his long-running legal battle with the Equality and Human Rights Commission over the BNP's membership rules.The firm once represented Mr Griffin, including during the early stages of his long-running legal battle with the Equality and Human Rights Commission over the BNP's membership rules.
Mr Griffin said the two parties had become involved in a legal dispute of their own, culminating in a court order last February ordering him to pay the law firm about £120,000 in fees and costs - a ruling he is intending to challenge. Mr Griffin said the two parties had become involved in a legal dispute of their own, culminating in a court order last February ordering him to pay the law firm about £120,000 in fees and costs - a ruling he is intending to challenge in the High Court.
The North West MEP added that, following the initial ruling, he had applied for an IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement) offering to pay 42p in the pound over five years to all his creditors and "this was rejected by the petitioning creditor, who said they would not accept any kind of deal under any circumstances". The firm confirmed that it was in a legal dispute with Mr Griffin but was not making any further comment.
Mr Griffin will be automatically discharged from bankruptcy in one year, on January 2 2015, in accordance with the Insolvency Act.Mr Griffin will be automatically discharged from bankruptcy in one year, on January 2 2015, in accordance with the Insolvency Act.
'No significance''No significance'
The Electoral Commission said bankruptcy in itself did not bar someone from being a member of the European Parliament or standing for election.The Electoral Commission said bankruptcy in itself did not bar someone from being a member of the European Parliament or standing for election.
Restrictions are only triggered if an individual is made subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order or debt relief restrictions order.Restrictions are only triggered if an individual is made subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order or debt relief restrictions order.
The Insolvency Service said such orders had not been made in Mr Griffin's case.The Insolvency Service said such orders had not been made in Mr Griffin's case.
Mr Griffin said his bankruptcy was of "no political significance whatsoever" and did not affect the BNP's own financial position.Mr Griffin said his bankruptcy was of "no political significance whatsoever" and did not affect the BNP's own financial position.
"This order will not prevent me fighting for the interests of the British people or leading the British National Party to a fresh round of electoral victories," he said."This order will not prevent me fighting for the interests of the British people or leading the British National Party to a fresh round of electoral victories," he said.
"On a practical note, I am now much better able to advise and help the huge numbers of decent ordinary folk in my constituency who have financial difficulties of their own," he added."On a practical note, I am now much better able to advise and help the huge numbers of decent ordinary folk in my constituency who have financial difficulties of their own," he added.
Mr Griffin was one of two BNP MEPs elected in 2009. The other, Andrew Brons, has since quit the party accusing the party leader of "marginalising" him.Mr Griffin was one of two BNP MEPs elected in 2009. The other, Andrew Brons, has since quit the party accusing the party leader of "marginalising" him.