THE BRITISH National Party (BNP) was ordered to stop recruiting new members following a court ruling yesterday that its entry rules discriminate against non-whites. However, party leader Nick Griffin said within hours that he had already made the changes necessary and that the far-right party was “open for business”.
Protesters chanted “Nazi scum” as Mr Griffin arrived at the Central London County Court yesterday to hear a ruling into the case taken by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which went to court after the BNP refused to change its membership rules despite being told they did not comply with the Race Relations Act.
Judge Paul Collins said: “I hold that the BNP are likely to commit unlawful acts of discrimination in the terms on which they are prepared to admit persons to membership under their constitution.” The judgment found that, while it is not unlawful to hold discriminatory views, it is unlawful that such views should be used by the BNP to limit entry to the party from people such as British-based Asian millionaire businessman Mo Chaudry, who had applied to join the party “to fight it on the inside”.
The 17-page judgment found that a clause in the BNP’s rules that members must agree to preserve the integrity of an “indigenous British” society, oppose immigration and maintain the place of white British as “the overwhelming majority” in the UK was illegal and should be withdrawn.
Equality and Human Rights Commission official Susie Uppal, speaking after the court hearing, said: “Political parties, like any other organisation, are obliged to respect the law and not discriminate against people who wish to become members. The BNP will now have to take the necessary steps to ensure that it complies with the Race Relations Act.”
Last night, Mr Griffin claimed he had the power to make the necessary changes immediately, without a meeting of the 7,000-strong organisation.