Probably not since the huge Poll Tax riots of 1990 against Thatcher's Conservative Government have the British public vented their anger in such a way against a political party.
Tonight, hundreds of anti-fascists have descended on the BBC Television Centre in the (ironically named) White City in west London to protest against tonight's TV appearance of Nick Griffin, the leader of the far right British National Party (BNP). Traffic ground to a halt and BBC employees have been told to remain in the building.
Griffin is appearing on current affairs show Question Time, one of the BBC's longest-running programmes in which a panel, usually consisting of politicians, journalists and celebrities, are grilled by a studio audience made up of members of the public.
Tonight's show is the first time that the leader of the fascist party has appeared on the show, leaving many to condemn the BBC of its decision to allow Griffin to appear.
Public support for the BNP has grown in recent years but is still miniscule. At the 2005 General Election, the party received 0.7% of the popular vote, the eigth largest share. They finished 5th in the 2008 London Mayoral Election, receiving 5.2% of the votes.
But they did do well in this year's EU Elections, winning two seats in the European Parliament. Andrew Brons was elected in the Yorkshire and the Humber regional constituency with 9.8% of the vote. Nick Griffin himself was elected for the North West of England region, with 8% of the vote. The BNP's stronghold in the UK is the North of England, which has a large population of Asians and other ethnic minorities.
Appearing on tonight's show alongside Griffin are Justice Secretary Jack Straw, American-born British author Bonnie Greer, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne and Conservative shadow cabinet member Sayeeda Warsi.
The BBC has defended its decision to allow Griffin, whose party wishes to throw all non-whites out of Britain, denies the Holocaust and holds anti-Semitic and homophobic views, by saying (quite rightly) that it must be politically impartial.
One of the oldest protesters at today's demonstration was Monty Goldman, 78, whose father Sidney marched against Oswald Mosley's Nazi-supporting Black Shirts in east London in 1936.
He said: 'They wouldn't stand for him if he was in Austria, they would have sent him to prison like the historian David Irving.' (Although maybe the British value free speech more than Continental Europeans)
Question Time is usually broadcast live, but tonight's episode will be recorded, with filming atsrting around 6.30 pm and being shown on BBC1 at 10.35pm.
Nick Griffin: Chaos at BBC as protesters storm Television Centre ahead of BNP leader's Question Time showdown
By Daily Mail Reporter
22nd October 2009
Daily Mail
Police grappled with hundreds of anti-fascist protesters as BNP leader Nick Griffin arrived at BBC Television Centre this evening for his controversial appearance on Question Time.
In chaotic scenes, up to 30 anti-fascist activists broke through police lines and stormed the building ahead of the far-right politician's arrival.
Protesters managed to outwit police despite a huge security operation at the corporation's offices in White City, west London, ahead of the flagship show's broadcast tonight.
Traffic ground to a halt and BBC staff were told to stay inside as hundreds of campaigners demonstrated against Mr Griffin's presence on the Question Time panel.
Police could be seen grappling with protesters behind the gates of the corporation's headquarters as hundreds demonstrated outside.
A female protester screams as she grapples with police as the clashes outside the BBC turn ugly
BNP leader Nick Griffin arrives at the BBC Television Centre surrounded by minders
But just after 5.15pm, Mr Griffin was sneaked into Television Centre via a rear entrance, accompanied by security guards.
Speaking after entering the building, Mr Griffin said of the protesters: 'I was rather expecting that.
'The Labour Party financed groups from all over the country bringing a mob down here today. It was always going to be a fairly big event.'
Members of the Question Time audience were escorted into the building after having their passports checked.
Among them was Frank Langan, 66, from Ealing, west London, who said: 'I'm going to go in and find out what Nick Griffin has got to say.
'I don't have to agree with it but I think it's right that he is allowed on Question Time. I think everybody is entitled to their own opinion, even if you don't like them.'
Campaigners had been outside all day but tempers flared as their numbers swelled and they angrily faced up police blockades.
Then violence erupted during an impromptu march when security guards opened a gate to let a vehicle into the front car park.
Police and demonstrators inside the Stage Door entrance at the BBC's Television Centre in White City
A protester vaults a car park barrier as a group of protesters storm the BBC building
A female protester is dragged along the smooth floor of the BBC by her leg screaming 'shame on you!. Another is pulled with her backpack
Kady Pait, 19, a French student from Leeds, also made it into the building.
He said: 'It was just a peaceful protest and then the police started dragging us off. It was a peaceful protest from us and then the police dragged us to the floor.'
Here are some of Griffin's views:
On the holocaust:
"I am well aware that the orthodox opinion is that 6 million Jews were gassed and cremated and turned into lampshades. Orthodox opinion also also once held that the Earth was flat... I have reached the conclusion that the "extermination" tale is a mixture of Allied wartime propaganda, extremely profitable lie, and latter witch-hysteria." (1998 - Statement outside court)
On the election of BNP candidate Derek Beacon:
"the electors of Millwall did not back a post modernist rightist party but what they perceived to be a strong, disciplined organisation with the ability to back up its slogan 'Defend Rights for Whites' with well-directed boots and fists. When the crunch comes power is the product of force and will, not of rational debate." (1995 - writing in The Rune)
On homosexuality:
"The TV footage of dozens of gay demonstrators flaunting their perversions in front of the world's journalists showed just why so many ordinary people find these creatures so repulsive." (1999 - writing for Spearhead)
And...
"So, what are we now doing with the British National Party? Well we tried to simplify its message in some ways and to make it a saleable message. So it's not white supremacy or racial civil war or anything like that, which is what we know in fact is going on, and we're not supremacists, we're white survivalists, even that frightens people. Four apple pie words, freedom, security, identity and democracy." (2001 - Speech to the American Friends of the BNP)
Anti-fascists brandished their banners in the face of BNP supporters as they arrived for filming and were chaperoned by officers into the building.
As the debate approached, the protestors started yelling loudly: 'We're black, white, Asian and Jew, BBC shame on you' and 'we won't let Nick Griffin through'.
Senior BBC broadcaster Jeremy Bowen said as he left Television Centre tonight said: 'I think it's fine that people are protesting. It's a legitimate protest. People are making clear their views.
'I think we live in a free society and there's free speech and while it's obviously highly controversial, I personally think it's the right decision to have him on.'
One of the oldest protesters at today's demonstration was Monty Goldman, 78, whose father Sidney marched against Oswald Mosley's Black Shirts in east London in 1936.
Police hold back anti-fascist protesters as they demonstrate outside BBC Television Centre
A red flare is lit as hundred bring traffic to a grinding halt in West London
Mr Goldman, from Hackney, said: 'This party, the BNP, is an absolute disgrace. This man is a Nazi and he is also a Holocaust denier.
'They wouldn't stand for him if he was in Austria, they would have sent him to prison like the historian David Irving.'
Philip McCiowen, 54, from Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire, attended today's rally dressed in military fatigues. On his face he wore a mask depicting Mr Griffin's face.
A black toothbrush moustache had been scrawled on to the upper lip.
Mr McCiowen said: 'Hitler started like this and in a small way Nick Griffin is trying to blame the Asians, Muslims and blacks. It's exactly the same as in 1933 and he shouldn't be allowed on television.'
As the demonstration continued, police with cameras started filming the protesters, many of whom waved placards denouncing the war in Iraq.
There were also union members in the crowd, including one waving a banner for the RNT and another with a placard for the union Unite.
At one point a protester let off a red flare as the crowd marched back down towards Television Centre along Wood Lane.
Filming is due to start at 6.30pm and transmission four hours later at 10.35pm.
Around 30 protesters jumped over the barriers and ran towards the building.
BBC staff and police struggle to restrain another anti-facist protester in the television centre's reception
Police block the entrance to the BBC in west London as protesters try to break through the cordon
A police cordon warily watches hundreds of protesters as they gather outside Television Centre
Student Lukas Keudic, 20, was among those who managed to get to the doors of the studio where the debate was due to be held.
He said: 'We were in the main reception next to Piers Morgan when about 30 police officers turned up. There were about 10 to 20 of us and we were just standing there chanting in a peaceful protest.
'We spoke to the police and they started grabbing us. They grabbed one person and we started chanting "Ian Tomlinson" and then they put us into a corner.'
Ian Tomlinson is the man who died during the G20 protests in London earlier this year, for which police were criticised over their heavy-handed tactics.
Frank Langan, 66, had arrived to be in the studio audience and was shepherded through by police.
'I'm going to go in and find out what Nick Griffin has got to say. I don't have to agree with it but I think it's right that he is allowed on Question Time. I think everybody is entitled to their own opinion, even if you don't like them,' he said.
A BBC spokesman said the disruption was dealt with 'promptly' and that the protesters were escorted from the premises.
'A small number of people managed to get into Television Centre.
However, they were identified and are being escorted from the building quickly.'
The BBC is believed to have emergency plans ready to move the show to a secret location if there is any trouble.
Mr Griffin is also unlikely to arrive through the main entrance to avoid inciting any further clashes.
At one stage, the BNP had considered flying him in using a helicopter to avoid any trouble but this was shelved because there is no helipad nearby.
The Unite Against Fascism group hopes its thousands will have joined the protest by tonight.
It spent the morning handing round pamphlets declaring: 'No plugs for Nazi Nick... Keep QT Nazi-free' before taking their positions.
Members of the far-left group Antifa, which has previously clashed with police at demonstrations against the BNP, are also believed to be at today's demonstration.
Mr Griffin riled public anger over his involvement in the flagship show further this morning by thanking the BBC for giving his far-right party unprecedented publicity.
He will appear alongside Justice Secretary Jack Straw, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne, Conservative shadow cabinet member Sayeeda Warsi, a Muslim, and author Bonnie Greer.
The programme is filmed several hours beforehand and broadcast as if it was live, although sections can be edited out for legal or taste reasons before transmission.
Amid warnings Mr Griffin's involvement could trigger racist attacks, the BBC insisted he would not be allowed to make inflammatory comments.
A spokesman said the show would be run in compliance with the law, implying that any overt racist remarks will be cut.
Also on tonight's Question Time panel: (from left) Justice Secretary Jack Straw, author Bonnie Greer, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne and Conservative shadow cabinet member Sayeeda Warsi
Outside Television Centre, Weyman Bennett, joint national secretary of Unite Against Fascism, said: 'I don't believe the BNP are going to be taken apart in the debate.
'What they are going to get is a massive hustings for their fascist and racist politics and the price for that will be an increase in the number of racist attacks.'
Elane Heffernan, 47, handed out leaflets declaring 'No Plugs for Nazi Nick' and claimed the BBC had blocked anti-fascists from the studio audience.
'We all applied for tickets but didn't get one. A friend of mine was told she had a ticket but then they rang up and was told she didn't,' she said.
'The anti-racist majority are peaceful people. Whether it turns will be down to whether the police attack protesters.'
Steven Ellis, 26, a librarian, said: 'I am down here because the BNP should not be treated like a normal party.
'They don't respect the rights of others and the BBC should not be inviting them on Question Time.
'A lot of BBC staff agree with us. A lot of people will arrive later to show their opposition to what the BBC are doing.'
Labour MP Andy Slaughter helped the protesters. He said: 'The BBC know they have made a mistake and as usual they have made the wrong judgment call...
'Despite the massive amounts of money they are paid and the tiers of management they don't seem to be able to make the decisions most people would make.
'I think it is just irresponsible. Cutting through the dinner party conversation about freedom of speech, the practical impact it is going to have on Muslim, black and Asian communities is reason enough not to give the BNP a platform.
dailymail.co.uk
Tonight, hundreds of anti-fascists have descended on the BBC Television Centre in the (ironically named) White City in west London to protest against tonight's TV appearance of Nick Griffin, the leader of the far right British National Party (BNP). Traffic ground to a halt and BBC employees have been told to remain in the building.
Griffin is appearing on current affairs show Question Time, one of the BBC's longest-running programmes in which a panel, usually consisting of politicians, journalists and celebrities, are grilled by a studio audience made up of members of the public.
Tonight's show is the first time that the leader of the fascist party has appeared on the show, leaving many to condemn the BBC of its decision to allow Griffin to appear.
Public support for the BNP has grown in recent years but is still miniscule. At the 2005 General Election, the party received 0.7% of the popular vote, the eigth largest share. They finished 5th in the 2008 London Mayoral Election, receiving 5.2% of the votes.
But they did do well in this year's EU Elections, winning two seats in the European Parliament. Andrew Brons was elected in the Yorkshire and the Humber regional constituency with 9.8% of the vote. Nick Griffin himself was elected for the North West of England region, with 8% of the vote. The BNP's stronghold in the UK is the North of England, which has a large population of Asians and other ethnic minorities.
Appearing on tonight's show alongside Griffin are Justice Secretary Jack Straw, American-born British author Bonnie Greer, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne and Conservative shadow cabinet member Sayeeda Warsi.
The BBC has defended its decision to allow Griffin, whose party wishes to throw all non-whites out of Britain, denies the Holocaust and holds anti-Semitic and homophobic views, by saying (quite rightly) that it must be politically impartial.
One of the oldest protesters at today's demonstration was Monty Goldman, 78, whose father Sidney marched against Oswald Mosley's Nazi-supporting Black Shirts in east London in 1936.
He said: 'They wouldn't stand for him if he was in Austria, they would have sent him to prison like the historian David Irving.' (Although maybe the British value free speech more than Continental Europeans)
Question Time is usually broadcast live, but tonight's episode will be recorded, with filming atsrting around 6.30 pm and being shown on BBC1 at 10.35pm.
Nick Griffin: Chaos at BBC as protesters storm Television Centre ahead of BNP leader's Question Time showdown
By Daily Mail Reporter
22nd October 2009
Daily Mail
Police grappled with hundreds of anti-fascist protesters as BNP leader Nick Griffin arrived at BBC Television Centre this evening for his controversial appearance on Question Time.
In chaotic scenes, up to 30 anti-fascist activists broke through police lines and stormed the building ahead of the far-right politician's arrival.
Protesters managed to outwit police despite a huge security operation at the corporation's offices in White City, west London, ahead of the flagship show's broadcast tonight.
Traffic ground to a halt and BBC staff were told to stay inside as hundreds of campaigners demonstrated against Mr Griffin's presence on the Question Time panel.
Police could be seen grappling with protesters behind the gates of the corporation's headquarters as hundreds demonstrated outside.
A female protester screams as she grapples with police as the clashes outside the BBC turn ugly
BNP leader Nick Griffin arrives at the BBC Television Centre surrounded by minders
But just after 5.15pm, Mr Griffin was sneaked into Television Centre via a rear entrance, accompanied by security guards.
Speaking after entering the building, Mr Griffin said of the protesters: 'I was rather expecting that.
'The Labour Party financed groups from all over the country bringing a mob down here today. It was always going to be a fairly big event.'
Members of the Question Time audience were escorted into the building after having their passports checked.
Among them was Frank Langan, 66, from Ealing, west London, who said: 'I'm going to go in and find out what Nick Griffin has got to say.
'I don't have to agree with it but I think it's right that he is allowed on Question Time. I think everybody is entitled to their own opinion, even if you don't like them.'
Campaigners had been outside all day but tempers flared as their numbers swelled and they angrily faced up police blockades.
Then violence erupted during an impromptu march when security guards opened a gate to let a vehicle into the front car park.
Police and demonstrators inside the Stage Door entrance at the BBC's Television Centre in White City
A protester vaults a car park barrier as a group of protesters storm the BBC building
A female protester is dragged along the smooth floor of the BBC by her leg screaming 'shame on you!. Another is pulled with her backpack
Kady Pait, 19, a French student from Leeds, also made it into the building.
He said: 'It was just a peaceful protest and then the police started dragging us off. It was a peaceful protest from us and then the police dragged us to the floor.'
Here are some of Griffin's views:
On the holocaust:
"I am well aware that the orthodox opinion is that 6 million Jews were gassed and cremated and turned into lampshades. Orthodox opinion also also once held that the Earth was flat... I have reached the conclusion that the "extermination" tale is a mixture of Allied wartime propaganda, extremely profitable lie, and latter witch-hysteria." (1998 - Statement outside court)
On the election of BNP candidate Derek Beacon:
"the electors of Millwall did not back a post modernist rightist party but what they perceived to be a strong, disciplined organisation with the ability to back up its slogan 'Defend Rights for Whites' with well-directed boots and fists. When the crunch comes power is the product of force and will, not of rational debate." (1995 - writing in The Rune)
On homosexuality:
"The TV footage of dozens of gay demonstrators flaunting their perversions in front of the world's journalists showed just why so many ordinary people find these creatures so repulsive." (1999 - writing for Spearhead)
And...
"So, what are we now doing with the British National Party? Well we tried to simplify its message in some ways and to make it a saleable message. So it's not white supremacy or racial civil war or anything like that, which is what we know in fact is going on, and we're not supremacists, we're white survivalists, even that frightens people. Four apple pie words, freedom, security, identity and democracy." (2001 - Speech to the American Friends of the BNP)
Anti-fascists brandished their banners in the face of BNP supporters as they arrived for filming and were chaperoned by officers into the building.
As the debate approached, the protestors started yelling loudly: 'We're black, white, Asian and Jew, BBC shame on you' and 'we won't let Nick Griffin through'.
Senior BBC broadcaster Jeremy Bowen said as he left Television Centre tonight said: 'I think it's fine that people are protesting. It's a legitimate protest. People are making clear their views.
'I think we live in a free society and there's free speech and while it's obviously highly controversial, I personally think it's the right decision to have him on.'
One of the oldest protesters at today's demonstration was Monty Goldman, 78, whose father Sidney marched against Oswald Mosley's Black Shirts in east London in 1936.
Police hold back anti-fascist protesters as they demonstrate outside BBC Television Centre
A red flare is lit as hundred bring traffic to a grinding halt in West London
Mr Goldman, from Hackney, said: 'This party, the BNP, is an absolute disgrace. This man is a Nazi and he is also a Holocaust denier.
'They wouldn't stand for him if he was in Austria, they would have sent him to prison like the historian David Irving.'
Philip McCiowen, 54, from Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire, attended today's rally dressed in military fatigues. On his face he wore a mask depicting Mr Griffin's face.
A black toothbrush moustache had been scrawled on to the upper lip.
Mr McCiowen said: 'Hitler started like this and in a small way Nick Griffin is trying to blame the Asians, Muslims and blacks. It's exactly the same as in 1933 and he shouldn't be allowed on television.'
As the demonstration continued, police with cameras started filming the protesters, many of whom waved placards denouncing the war in Iraq.
There were also union members in the crowd, including one waving a banner for the RNT and another with a placard for the union Unite.
At one point a protester let off a red flare as the crowd marched back down towards Television Centre along Wood Lane.
Filming is due to start at 6.30pm and transmission four hours later at 10.35pm.
Around 30 protesters jumped over the barriers and ran towards the building.
BBC staff and police struggle to restrain another anti-facist protester in the television centre's reception
Police block the entrance to the BBC in west London as protesters try to break through the cordon
A police cordon warily watches hundreds of protesters as they gather outside Television Centre
Student Lukas Keudic, 20, was among those who managed to get to the doors of the studio where the debate was due to be held.
He said: 'We were in the main reception next to Piers Morgan when about 30 police officers turned up. There were about 10 to 20 of us and we were just standing there chanting in a peaceful protest.
'We spoke to the police and they started grabbing us. They grabbed one person and we started chanting "Ian Tomlinson" and then they put us into a corner.'
Ian Tomlinson is the man who died during the G20 protests in London earlier this year, for which police were criticised over their heavy-handed tactics.
Frank Langan, 66, had arrived to be in the studio audience and was shepherded through by police.
'I'm going to go in and find out what Nick Griffin has got to say. I don't have to agree with it but I think it's right that he is allowed on Question Time. I think everybody is entitled to their own opinion, even if you don't like them,' he said.
A BBC spokesman said the disruption was dealt with 'promptly' and that the protesters were escorted from the premises.
'A small number of people managed to get into Television Centre.
However, they were identified and are being escorted from the building quickly.'
The BBC is believed to have emergency plans ready to move the show to a secret location if there is any trouble.
Mr Griffin is also unlikely to arrive through the main entrance to avoid inciting any further clashes.
At one stage, the BNP had considered flying him in using a helicopter to avoid any trouble but this was shelved because there is no helipad nearby.
The Unite Against Fascism group hopes its thousands will have joined the protest by tonight.
It spent the morning handing round pamphlets declaring: 'No plugs for Nazi Nick... Keep QT Nazi-free' before taking their positions.
Members of the far-left group Antifa, which has previously clashed with police at demonstrations against the BNP, are also believed to be at today's demonstration.
Mr Griffin riled public anger over his involvement in the flagship show further this morning by thanking the BBC for giving his far-right party unprecedented publicity.
He will appear alongside Justice Secretary Jack Straw, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne, Conservative shadow cabinet member Sayeeda Warsi, a Muslim, and author Bonnie Greer.
The programme is filmed several hours beforehand and broadcast as if it was live, although sections can be edited out for legal or taste reasons before transmission.
Amid warnings Mr Griffin's involvement could trigger racist attacks, the BBC insisted he would not be allowed to make inflammatory comments.
A spokesman said the show would be run in compliance with the law, implying that any overt racist remarks will be cut.
Also on tonight's Question Time panel: (from left) Justice Secretary Jack Straw, author Bonnie Greer, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne and Conservative shadow cabinet member Sayeeda Warsi
Outside Television Centre, Weyman Bennett, joint national secretary of Unite Against Fascism, said: 'I don't believe the BNP are going to be taken apart in the debate.
'What they are going to get is a massive hustings for their fascist and racist politics and the price for that will be an increase in the number of racist attacks.'
Elane Heffernan, 47, handed out leaflets declaring 'No Plugs for Nazi Nick' and claimed the BBC had blocked anti-fascists from the studio audience.
'We all applied for tickets but didn't get one. A friend of mine was told she had a ticket but then they rang up and was told she didn't,' she said.
'The anti-racist majority are peaceful people. Whether it turns will be down to whether the police attack protesters.'
Steven Ellis, 26, a librarian, said: 'I am down here because the BNP should not be treated like a normal party.
'They don't respect the rights of others and the BBC should not be inviting them on Question Time.
'A lot of BBC staff agree with us. A lot of people will arrive later to show their opposition to what the BBC are doing.'
Labour MP Andy Slaughter helped the protesters. He said: 'The BBC know they have made a mistake and as usual they have made the wrong judgment call...
'Despite the massive amounts of money they are paid and the tiers of management they don't seem to be able to make the decisions most people would make.
'I think it is just irresponsible. Cutting through the dinner party conversation about freedom of speech, the practical impact it is going to have on Muslim, black and Asian communities is reason enough not to give the BNP a platform.
dailymail.co.uk
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