BNP Will Admit Black Members

The British National Party has over-turned its "whites-only" membership policy following a threat from human rights authorities.

Members of the far right political party met in Essex yesterday and voted to amend its constitution.

Black and Asian people are now able to join the BNP - an organisation which has fervently denied accusations of racism.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission had threatened an injunction against the party's activities given its previous membership policy for "indigenous British" only.

Next month a judge will decide whether the constitutional change abides by race laws and warrants the BNP's continuation.

A party spokesman would not disclose the reword of the policy yesterday. The meeting's proceedings were interrupted when BNP members jostled with journalists from The Times newspaper. He was ejected by security, who accused him of "writing lies" about the party.

It is believed lawyers for the Equality and Human Rights Commission have read the amended membership document.

BNP leader, and MEP, Nick Griffin said: "We had to do it (change the constitution) for legal reasons. Many of our members think it's a good thing.

"A lot of people said we should have done it some time ago but that's really by the by.

"Our problem with this is a government funded, taxpayer-funded quango telling people who they can and can't associate with, [which] is a fundamental outrage.

"Nevertheless, we recognise legal reality, so we have done it and now, for one thing, they can't call us racist any more."

An Equality and Human Rights Commission spokeswoman said: "We're expecting to see a copy of the policy on Tuesday, which is the deadline set by the court.

"When we've received this we will consider our position ahead of the next court hearing on 9 March."

Meanwhile anti-fascist group Searchlight said the membership rule change was "a meaningless gesture".

"The BNP are as racist and extremist as ever," said a spokesman for the group.

(PR/GK)