LEEDS, England (AFP) - Far-right British National Party (BNP) leader Nick Griffin returned to court for re-trial on race hate charges, sparking stormy scenes between supporters and protestors.
The jury was sworn in at Leeds Crown Court, northern England, where the 46-year-old faced charges of using words or behaviour intended or likely to stir up racial hatred.
Chanting, placard-waving supporters and rival demonstrators greeted Griffin as he arrived at the court with BNP activist Mark Collett, who also faces charges.
Judge Norman Jones warned the jury to prepare for some strong and controversial evidence.
"You will hear in the course of the evidence that is given strong criticism and speeches on the Muslim religion and issues of racism, together with criticism of elements of present government policy," he said.
"Such criticism can sometimes raise conflicts in people's minds," he said, asking the jurors: "search your own consciences" and approach the case "without prejudice and without bias".
The trial was adjourned until Friday.
Griffin and Collett were acquitted in February of inciting racial hatred in a trial brought after an undercover television reporter infiltrated party meetings.
The Cambridge-educated BNP chief was charged with Collett after secret footage of speeches they made was broadcast in a 2004 BBC documentary entitled "The Secret Agent".
A jury at a Leeds court cleared Griffin of two of four charges and Collett of four of eight charges. The judge then discharged the jury after they failed to reach a decision on the remaining counts, which are those being re-tried.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061101/wl_uk_afp/britainpolitics
Oh the people over here in Canada and America who support BNP evidence like it is actual truth and seem to support such fascist views must be crying right about now.
The jury was sworn in at Leeds Crown Court, northern England, where the 46-year-old faced charges of using words or behaviour intended or likely to stir up racial hatred.
Chanting, placard-waving supporters and rival demonstrators greeted Griffin as he arrived at the court with BNP activist Mark Collett, who also faces charges.
Judge Norman Jones warned the jury to prepare for some strong and controversial evidence.
"You will hear in the course of the evidence that is given strong criticism and speeches on the Muslim religion and issues of racism, together with criticism of elements of present government policy," he said.
"Such criticism can sometimes raise conflicts in people's minds," he said, asking the jurors: "search your own consciences" and approach the case "without prejudice and without bias".
The trial was adjourned until Friday.
Griffin and Collett were acquitted in February of inciting racial hatred in a trial brought after an undercover television reporter infiltrated party meetings.
The Cambridge-educated BNP chief was charged with Collett after secret footage of speeches they made was broadcast in a 2004 BBC documentary entitled "The Secret Agent".
A jury at a Leeds court cleared Griffin of two of four charges and Collett of four of eight charges. The judge then discharged the jury after they failed to reach a decision on the remaining counts, which are those being re-tried.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061101/wl_uk_afp/britainpolitics
Oh the people over here in Canada and America who support BNP evidence like it is actual truth and seem to support such fascist views must be crying right about now.