BNP leader invited to speak at St Andrews

| Friday, 4 February 2005 Source: Morning Star

ANTI-FASCIST campaigners condemned the St Andrews University debating society yesterday, after it invited BNP leader Nick Griffin to join a debate on multiculturalism.

Mr Griffin, who is being investigated by police over claims of inciting racial hatred, is due to speak at the debate next Wednesday.

He will discuss the motion that: "This house believes that the multicultural experiment has failed."

The BNP leader was invited to speak by debating society president Peter Blair and the motion was approved by the student association board.

But Robina Qureshi of anti-racism campaign group Positive Action in Housing said: "It is an utter disgrace.

"It's a disgrace for them not be aware of the links of this party and the reverence that it holds for other groups like the Ku Klux Klan and neonazis."

The Commission for Racial Equality Scotland said that it had, refused to join in the debate, with a spokeswoman noting that it "does not legitimise the views of far-right organisations by sharing a platform with them."

In a fax to all student unions in the country, the National Union of Students in Scotland urged the St Andrews debating society to withdraw the invitation.

NUS Scotland president Melanie Ward said: "There can be no place for fascists and racists in the student community or in Scotland.

"Any platform for these groups simply serves to legitimise their politics and further their aims."

She warned: "The policies of the BNP are contrary to every principle of the student movement.

"The Union Debating Society is being incredibly naive if it believes that this visit will not give rise to increased attention from the BNP with regard to the students at St Andrews."