North West MEP Says BNP Leader Has Right To Be Heard

Commenting on the possibility of BNP Leader Nick Griffin being invited to appear on BBC Question Time , Liberal Democrat Euro-MP Chris Davies said:

"If the BNP were to get their way democracy would end in this country and I would likely end up in a concentration camp. But I am a Liberal and the

principle of free speech is dear to me.

"Nick Griffin and his party secured 8% of the votes in the North West region in June 2009. He is a duly elected Member of the European Parliament and even

though the BNP would deny others their rights I believe he should be heard.

"In the past I have refused to share a platform with Nick Griffin, but in Brussels he sits on the same Environment Committee as myself, and we have the same

speaking and voting rights . It's an important law-making body and I will definitely not be leaving it simply because he is present.

"Democrats have to consider how best to combat the BNP. The best approach may now be to expose its racism and hatred through direct debate."