BNP may be forced to admit non-white members

BNP leader Nick Griffin has agreed to commit 'all reasonable endeavours,' including amending the party's constitution, to comply with laws preventing discrimination on the basis of race, gender and religious belief.

The new constitution would have to allow, in principle, non-white citizens to become members of the party.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission launched court proceedings against Griffin and two other party officials - Simon Darby and Tanya Jane Lumby - accusing the party of breaching race relation laws by adhering to a racially exclusive membership policy.

The language of the BNP constitution restricts membership to 'indigenous British ethnic groups,' including the 'Anglo-Saxon folk community' and the 'Celtic Scottish folk community.'

Until Mr Griffin drafts and members ratify a new constitution, expected to be achieved at a general meeting next month, the BNP have agreed not to accept new members.

John Wadham, of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: 'the law is for everyone, this is not a political issue for us, the key issue for us is the lawfulness of their membership criteria. It is for other people to decide whether their policies are right or wrong.'

'It is unfortunate the BNP spent several months before conceding and dealing properly with our legal requirements. We will be monitoring the BNP's compliance with this court order on membership, and its other legal obligations, including to its constituents.'

The BNP, despite assurances it would comply, remained truculent in defeat. Spokesman Chris Roberts told the BBC: 'If we want to be in the electoral process, which we do, we are being forced by the establishment to change our rules then we are going to have to change them.

'But the fundamental beliefs of our party and our core principles will never change.'

The party has already accrued a substantial legal bill and is understood to be facing bankruptcy. Griffin has been forced to appeal for donations from members. He accused the commission of 'trying to bankrupt us.'

The BNP gained its first MEPs in June this year. Andrew Brons was elected for the Yorkshire and the Humber with 9.8 percent of the vote and Griffin himself was elected for the North West with 8 percent of the vote.