BNP election broadcast go-ahead

The BNP has confirmed that its election broadcast will be shown on BBC 1 and BBC 2 tonight.

There had been suggestions that the broadcast would not be shown for ‘technical reasons’ but the necessary technical amendments have now been made. Details for broadcasts on the other main channels have not yet been formalised.

But, the broadcast has stirred up controversy. Unite Against Fascism is organising a protest outside BBC headquarters over the broadcast. Sabby Dhalu, joint secretary of UAF said: “We strongly object to the contributions of licence fee payers being used to accommodate a political group who stands fully opposed to freedom of speech, association and liberty and wishes to use this slot to peddle racism.”

The broadcasting journalists’ union BECTU has also written to all major UK broadcasters promising to back any members who decline, on grounds of conscience, to help transmit the broadcast.