BNP attacks fellow 'Question Time' panellists

[Anarcho-Socialist]

Source: Independent on Sunday
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/bnp-attacks-fellow-question-time-panellists-1804757.html

As the far-right party prepares for its first programme appearance, it accuses the BBC of 'stirring up trouble' with its choice of guests

The British National Party, whose leader, Nick Griffin, makes his first appearance on BBC1's Question Time this week, has launched an attack on Bonnie Greer, the playwright and fellow panellist who is expected to tackle Mr Griffin about his views on race on the show.

In a clear attempt to get its retaliation in first, the far-right party has posed the question on its website: "What does the BNP have to do to be invited on to the BBC's Question Time?... Win one million votes and two seats in the European Parliament." It adds: "What does Bonnie Greer have to do to get on to Question Time? Fabricate black history and be paid for it." The party attacks documentaries Ms Greer has made as being "Afrocentrist" and describes her inclusion on the show as "an obvious attempt to stir up trouble". The site also dismisses the Conservative peer Baroness Warsi, another panellist on Thursday's show, as a "product of Tory affirmative action".

While Ms Greer and Baroness Warsi declined to comment, the BNP's attack on them has been condemned by anti-racist campaigners. "I can't help notice that all the people the BNP are complaining about are black. It launches vitriolic attacks on Bonnie Greer and Sayeeda Warsi, but remains silent about the other white Question Time guests," said Weyman Bennett of Unite Against Fascism. "The attack shows a disturbing preoccupation with skin colour. It's high time the BBC stopped treating this racist and fascist organisation as if it was an acceptable democratic party."

Simon Darby, the BNP's deputy chairman, was unrepentant last night: "If Bonnie Greer wants to enter the political arena, she's got to realise if you want to play with the big boys then sometimes you're going to get hurt. People need to understand that she has a political angle, an ethno-centric axe to grind."

It's trite to say but the BNP really are such shits. Notice the not-so-veiled threats.

[Joe Chi Minh]

1. "The big boys!" Love it.... and so intelligent with it. Tee! hee!

[LeftishBrit]

2. Bloody Nasty People...

'People need to understand that she has a political angle, an ethno-centric axe to grind'

That is coming from a BNP leader? Ok , the nominations for the Big Hypocrite Award are closed for the next century. Darby has clearly won it.

'an obvious attempt to stir up trouble'

So the Bloody Nazi Pricks want to stir up some shit on national TV and then blame the other panelists for it?

'It's high time the BBC stopped treating this racist and fascist organisation as if it was an acceptable democratic party'

Agreed!

[oldironside]

3. Maybe we should be more understanding.

It won't be easy for Griffin to sit down with a bunch of people who aren't narrow minded, racist, holocaust deniers. He'd obviously feel happier debating with David Irving and Jörg Haider on the panel. It's obviously a sign of BBC bias to choose people who might disagree with him.

Incidentally, the last time I heard anyone use the phrase "messing with the big boys" was an episode of the Young Ones in 1984(ish). They'd just locked the vampire in the bathroom and Neil used it to describe the threat posed by the bottle of washing up liquid he was holding. Sort of adds gravitas to the threat, doesn't it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cMsLg7FDPk

(Neil's threat comes at 05:40)