BNP welcome chance to appear on BBCs' question time

[Friends of Alfred]

Story here

The British National party has welcomed the BBC's decision to allow its leader, Nick Griffin, to appear on Question Time following the far-right party's success in the European elections.

Although the BBC has yet to issue a formal invitation, the corporation is preparing to ask Griffin to join the panel show and is already consulting other parties about appearing with him.

The party, which won two seats in the European parliament in June, has not appeared on the programme before. Some parties, including Labour, have previously refused to share a platform with the BNP because of its policies on race. A spokesman for the party said yesterday: "Obviously it's good news. Of late, a large proportion of Question Time has been devoted to assaults on the BNP, so it's rather welcome that we are allowed to defend ourselves."

I'm looking forward to this. Hopefully the BBC will invite panelists capable of demonstrating how nasty the guy really is.

[Tarquin Farquart]

Originally Posted by Friends of Alfred

Hopefully the BBC will invite panelists capable of demonstrating how nasty the guy really is.

Problem is the format of Question Time doesn't make that easy.

[Billy Beccles]

Originally Posted by Tarquin Farquart

Problem is the format of Question Time doesn't make that easy.

That problem has just been solved, rather neatly, and all the student anti-facist and anti-rascists might as well stay at home, because Bonnie Greer is going to show Nick Griffin just what an arse-kicking really is.

I have not looked forward to a political discussion so much since Zeinab Bedawi subjected the Sudanese Prime Minister to three falls and a submission.

[Andrew of Ware]

Thursday's debate on Question Time is now in doubt.

The BBC could face legal action over British National Party leader Nick Griffin's appearance on Question Time, Welsh Secretary Peter Hain has warned.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8313680.stm

I am not sure if any legal action will work. I wonder if the news that came out recently that the BNP may open its membership to non-white people will come up in the debate.

[Squirt]

I think any attempt to stop the BNP via legal action would be a mistake at this point. You'd end up with the BBC defending their decision to invite them ( and I can see why they are doing it - they are a valid political party who currently have a part in government, albeit local and European ) and the BNP playing the "establishment crushing political discussion" little guy card for all it's worth.

Invite them, it'll turn into the standard Question Time hollering match, and everything will carry on as normal.

[BringTheNoise]

I've got to agree there. Question Time is a good chance to expose them for the racist scum that they are, and Labour seem poised to instead turn it into more fuel for their "WE IZ BEIN OPPRESSED" fire. Stupid, stupid move.