BNP leader grilled by Newsbeat listeners

Nick Griffin claims he's changed his party for the better

The British National Party is one of the most controversial in Britain. Leader Nick Griffin was elected to the European Parliament in June, provoking anger from many MPs who are concerned about the political party's far-right views.

During the 10 years he's been in charge of the BNP, Mr Griffin says the party has grown from 1,200 members to nearly 14,000 and says the party's new stance and its policies are starting to attract people.

We asked Newsbeat listeners to text in with questions they want him to answer.

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Many of our listeners have texted in to say they're angry at us for even giving you air time. Suzanne in Southend says we're allowing you to give racist views to loads of young people, Simon says we should be ashamed of ourselves - and another text says we should now have an Islam extremist group on too. What do you say to that?

Jules in Milton Keynes wants to know, 'Can a black man join the BNP?'

Andy from Croydon asked, 'Both my parents are white and English but my Granddad on my mother's side is Sri Lankan which has given me quite a dark tan and I look ethnic, will I loose rights as a British citizen? So when are you allowed to call yourself British?'

Katie in Glossop said, 'He's nothing but a racist bigot and he makes me feel ashamed to call myself British!' We asked Mr Griffin if he understands texts like this if he looks back at the history of the BNP and where it's come from?

A text from someone called J read, 'I'm from Keighley in West Yorkshire and I will be voting BNP for the rest of my life. Areas of our town are forbidden to white people and the racial abuse we receive for being white females is a disgrace.' Most of the texts Newsbeat received were to do with immigration - so what are your other policies? What would you do to get us out of this recession?

Mark texted in to ask, 'Would you withdraw our troops from Afghanistan?'

Rosie from Hertfordshire said: 'I'd like to ask Nick Griffin how he sleeps at night knowing he stands for prejudice and overtly discriminate politics. The BNP is disgusting.'