BNP Leaders Committed to Crown Court

Dave Higgens, PA | Thursday, 16 June 2005 Source: The Scotsman

The leader of the British National Party is to face a trial by jury on race hate charges after his case was committed to Crown Court today.

Nick Griffin, 45, was charged by West Yorkshire Police in April following a long running investigation into the BBC documentary The Secret Agent, which secretly filmed BNP activists.

Griffin, of Llanerfyl, Powys, appeared at Leeds Magistrates Court for a two-minute formal committal hearing accused of four counts of using words or behaviour intended or likely to stir up racial hatred.

The charges related to two separate incidents on January 19 and May 5, 2004, which were recorded during the documentary.

The father of four was joined in court by the party's founder, John Tyndall, who is charged with two of the same offences.

The 70-year-old from Hove, East Sussex, was charged in connection with a speech he made at a social club in Burnley which was later screened in the documentary.

BNP activist Mark Collett, 24, of Rothley, Leicestershire, also appeared charged with eight race hate offences. The three, who stood in front of the dock each dressed in a dark suit, were given unconditional bail to appear for a hearing at Leeds Crown Court on July 21.

Outside the court building more than 30 police officers ensured three separate groups of demonstrators and were kept well apart.

Around 50 BNP supporters were penned in about 30 yards from a group of anti-Nazi demonstrators.

A rival group of far right activists was kept even further away by officers.

Mr Griffin emerged from the court to cheers of his supporters vowing to fight the charges against him.