Tensions rise at BNP leader warns against "mob"

BNP leader Nick Griffin has urged police to "get a grip" of protesters who pelted him with eggs and targeted two press conferences. The British National Party boss and his MEPs were forced to abandon their first joint press conference after an attack on College Green in Westminster on Tuesday. Eggs were thrown by protesters angry at the far-right party's success in the European elections which saw seats for Mr Griffin and Andrew Brons. Two people were hospitalised during the melee as protesters chanted: "Off our streets, Nazi scum" and threw eggs at Mr Griffin before he was bundled into a car by bodyguards. Police said they are investigating allegations of common assault and a road collision after organisers Unite Against Fascism claimed Mr Griffin's security guards punched and kicked demonstrators in scuffles as they escorted him away. Mr Griffin described the protesters as "far-left thugs" who had "resorted to violence" in defiance of the democratic process. After further demos when he held a press conference in a Manchester pub earlier, Mr Griffin said: "There wasn't a huge police presence yesterday. The police let the mob run wild. "I think it's very sad that a hostile mob which is partly paid for by taxpayers and backed by Labour and the Conservatives is allowed to get away with mob violence on the streets of Britain in 2009. "I've got to go and visit constituents in places like Preston and Andrew Brons has to go to places like Bradford. The police need to get a grip on these people and stop them throwing eggs and bricks." He added: "Like us or not we are a democratic party elected by people who have specific concerns they think we will address properly."

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ITN | June 10, 2009

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