Liverpool FC Forum

[7_Kewell]

this is hilarious...


BNP leader Nick Griffin has agreed to ask his party to amend its constitution so it does not discriminate on grounds of race or religion, a court heard.

The UK's equalities watchdog had argued the BNP broke the Race Relations Act by restricting members to "indigenous Caucasian" people.

The court heard Mr Griffin had agreed to use "all reasonable endeavours" to revise its constitution.

BNP members will be asked to agree to the changes at a meeting in November.

Mr Griffin was not at the hearing at Central London County Court on Thursday morning.

'Respect the law'

But Robin Allen QC, counsel for the commission, said Mr Griffin had agreed to present party members with a revised constitution at its general meeting next month and the party had agreed not to accept new members in the meantime.

The BNP agreed to use "all reasonable endeavours" to revise its constitution so it did not discriminate on what are termed "protected characteristics" in clause four of the Equality Bill - which include race, gender and religious belief.

But BBC correspondent Andy Tighe said it remained to be seen whether Mr Griffin could persuade his party to allow the change.

John Wadham, of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: "We are pleased the party has conceded this case and agreed to all of the Commission requirements.

"Political parties, like any other organisation, are obliged to respect the law and not discriminate against people.

"It is unfortunate the BNP spent several months before conceding and dealing properly with our legal requirements. We will be monitoring the BNP's compliance with this court order on membership, and its other legal obligations, including to its constituents."

'More important issues'

A BNP spokesman told the BBC: "We have got to comply if we want to stay in the game. Of course it's not right. It's an infringement of our rights."

On the BNP website Mr Griffin had asked supporters to help fund the "horrendous" bills for the legal case and accused the commission of "trying to bankrupt us".

Richard Barnbrook, the party's representative on the London Assembly, said he believed BNP members would vote in favour of a reformed constitution.

"The first reason being that trying to fight this court case would bankrupt the party and we have more important issues to deal with, including elections."

The court heard Mr Griffin would be given 10 days to submit a signed undertaking confirming the proposed changes. The case was adjourned until 28 January.

[Dazzer]

One thing to say LMAOROFLPMSLLOLSAUSE

[Judge]

that means there is no freedom of speech or expression, as other acts tie that fact up. the law can force you to employ anyone based on race relations act. If you visit other countries, you dont get that right over there. In fact, to be american president means you have to be born in america. That doesnt apply over here!! why not?

i honestly dont think a black or non-white person would join the BNP anyway, regardless of what the court says. absolutely rediculous waste of time.

anyway, my political views encompass equality, investment in health and school, productivity and exports, to name but a few

[LFC2007]

Absurd generalisations aside, I don't think it's grossly unreasonable to prohibit political parties from discriminating on racial grounds in their membership criteria. If it is tolerated then we must also tolerate a party that discriminates against disability, which would be illegal at present and which if reversed would strike a moral chord with, I suspect, a lot more people.

[J*o*n*D*o*e]

so i guess the monster raving loony party have to let sane people join now then.

[tubby]

Isnt Griffin going to be on The Big Questions sometime this month? Looking forward to that.

[Number 9]

Yeah Im sure loads of black people will be queuing up to join their ranks now!

[tubby]

Yeah Im sure loads of black people will be queuing up to join their ranks now!

I think a few years ago they managed to trick some old sikh fella into joining them. This guy was a borderline pensioner whose cousin was killed in pakistan so they used that resentment to direct hate towards muslims through some flyers.

It's all anyway, they will never get enough votes to hold any real positions of power although I was shocked they got those Euro MP spots.

[Number 9]

Yeah Im sure loads of black people will be queuing up to join their ranks now!

I think a few years ago they managed to trick some old sikh fella into joining them. This guy was a borderline pensioner whose cousin was killed in pakistan so they used that resentment to direct hate towards muslims through some flyers.

It's all anyway, they will never get enough votes to hold any real positions of power although I was shocked they got those Euro MP spots.

Agreed mate they are total ,but if Muslims fundamentalists can preach a hatred of Britain on British soil its only fair that the BNP can have their say too...tw@ts as they all are!

[tubby]

Yes mate unfortunately this is the sad state of affairs. Not meaning to sound racist myself now but sometimes I wish the powers that be would just put aside their human rights happy pc minds for a minute and just boot out any that slag of this country. Like you say mate it just fuels these other losers.

[Dazzer]

Isnt Griffin going to be on The Big Questions sometime this month? Looking forward to that.

Its next week I think man I also looking forward to it.I can tell I am getting old I look forward to question time now more then I look forward to my normal shows. 

[Dazzer]

Yeah Im sure loads of black people will be queuing up to join their ranks now!

I think a few years ago they managed to trick some old sikh fella into joining them. This guy was a borderline pensioner whose cousin was killed in pakistan so they used that resentment to direct hate towards muslims through some flyers.

It's all anyway, they will never get enough votes to hold any real positions of power although I was shocked they got those Euro MP spots.

Well bav in a country with ever growing racial tension I would not be suprised if they did get quite a few votes.After all even tho what they stand for is complete bollox in this day and age at least they really stand for something which is more I can say for the other partys.

I would like to point out tho I for one do not agree with them at all. <<<< disclaimer.   

I come from a very mutiracial background and very proud of it. 

[Lando_Griffin]

The day this Country has a "MOWO" awards show is the day they can force institutions to accept all.

Can you even imagine the sh*t we'd get if there was a "Music of White Origin" show on TV which precluded all but whites?

F*ck me - it doesn't bare thinking about.

This is the problem with this Government - it's only racist if it isn't aimed at white people...

[Ben Patrick]

The day this Country has a "MOWO" awards show is the day they can force institutions to accept all.

Can you even imagine the sh*t we'd get if there was a "Music of White Origin" show on TV which precluded all but whites?

F*ck me - it doesn't bare thinking about.

This is the problem with this Government - it's only racist if it isn't aimed at white people...

[SouthCoastShankly]

You can deal with the BNP two ways -

1) Ignore them and refuse any publicity (BBC coverage, political programmes, etc) in an effort to protect the country from their vile views.
2) Allow them airtime and expose them for the fools they really are.

Option one has it's own problems because there will exist voters who do not fully understand what the BNP represent but will vote for them based solely on immigration policy.

Option two, although giving them a platform, does allow the views and constiution of the party to be disected, debated and then defeated for the nonsense it is. A lot of voters who would vote for the BNP on the grounds of immigration policy will have their eyes opened, so to speak, on the true nature of what the BNP represent - racism.

Regarding the court case, it's clearly a method of hit them where it hurts - financially. The case is at the high court and will cost the BNP thousands to defend. That is why they aren't bothering and bowing to the pressure to allow non-whites into their party. Effectively mocking the central tenet of their beliefs.