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23/06/2009
BNP 'Could Face Injunction' Over Membership Policies
The British National Party could face an injunction on the grounds its membership policies have possibly breached the Race Relations Act.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has written to the far-right party's leader Nick Griffin, saying the BNP's constitution, membership criteria and employment practices could breach the Act on three counts.
The watchdog has given the party until 20 July to make changes or face potential legal action.
It said that it would apply for a legal injunction against the BNP if the party does not comply.
In a statement they said: "The Commission has a statutory duty, under the Equality Act 2006, to enforce the provisions of the Act and to work towards the elimination of unlawful discrimination.
"This duty includes preventing discrimination by political parties.
"The Commission thinks that the BNP’s constitution and membership criteria may discriminate on the grounds of race and colour, contrary to the Race Relations Act.
"The party's membership criteria appear to restrict membership to those within what the BNP regards as particular "ethnic groups" and those whose skin colour is white."
The statement continued: "This exclusion is contrary to the Race Relations Act which the party is legally obliged to comply with. The Commission therefore thinks that the BNP may have acted, and be acting, illegally."
It is understood the commission has received around 50 calls from members of the public regarding the BNP's membership policy.
(JM/BMcC)
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has written to the far-right party's leader Nick Griffin, saying the BNP's constitution, membership criteria and employment practices could breach the Act on three counts.
The watchdog has given the party until 20 July to make changes or face potential legal action.
It said that it would apply for a legal injunction against the BNP if the party does not comply.
In a statement they said: "The Commission has a statutory duty, under the Equality Act 2006, to enforce the provisions of the Act and to work towards the elimination of unlawful discrimination.
"This duty includes preventing discrimination by political parties.
"The Commission thinks that the BNP’s constitution and membership criteria may discriminate on the grounds of race and colour, contrary to the Race Relations Act.
"The party's membership criteria appear to restrict membership to those within what the BNP regards as particular "ethnic groups" and those whose skin colour is white."
The statement continued: "This exclusion is contrary to the Race Relations Act which the party is legally obliged to comply with. The Commission therefore thinks that the BNP may have acted, and be acting, illegally."
It is understood the commission has received around 50 calls from members of the public regarding the BNP's membership policy.
(JM/BMcC)
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