Post by Tim on Oct 19, 2009 22:14:59 GMT
The BBC has rejected a call from Cabinet minister Peter Hain to drop British National Party leader Nick Griffin from the panel on BBC1's Question Time this Thursday.
Mr Hain, a long-standing campaigner against apartheid, has written to BBC director general Mark Thompson warning he could face legal action if he allows Mr Griffin to take part in the flagship political show.
The Welsh Secretary argued that the BNP was currently "an unlawful body" after the party told a court last week it would amend its whites-only membership rules to meet discrimination legislation.
In a letter to Mr Hain, Mr Thompson responded: "According to the advice we have received, the British National Party is not prevented from continuing to operate on a day-to-day basis and its elected representatives continue to sit on councils and in the European Parliament.
Mr Hain, a long-standing campaigner against apartheid, has written to BBC director general Mark Thompson warning he could face legal action if he allows Mr Griffin to take part in the flagship political show.
The Welsh Secretary argued that the BNP was currently "an unlawful body" after the party told a court last week it would amend its whites-only membership rules to meet discrimination legislation.
In a letter to Mr Hain, Mr Thompson responded: "According to the advice we have received, the British National Party is not prevented from continuing to operate on a day-to-day basis and its elected representatives continue to sit on councils and in the European Parliament.