BNP paves way to admit non-whites
British National Party leaders have voted "overwhelmingly" to ballot members on changing its constitution to allow non-white members to join.
Leader Nick Griffin said he welcomed the change, which the party had been "moving towards" for years. If the new membership rules are approved, the BNP would be brought in line with the recent Equality Bill. The party's "closed for business" talks in Hindley Green, Wigan, came on the first day of its annual conference.
Senior members discussed whether its policy should discriminate on the ground of race or religion. Members of the public and journalists were barred.
A party spokesman said: "More than 300 of the party's voting membership voted overwhelmingly in favour. At a later stage it will be put to the entire membership of the party to vote for, or against."
The Human Rights Commission has ruled that if the BNP does not allow people from ethnic minorities to join, it would become an illegal party.
Mr Griffin said: "We will ensure the new constitution still makes sure that the party is there primarily to represent the interests of the indigenous people of these islands who have been grotesquely discriminated against by the other parties now for decades.
"But to have members of loyal assimilated minorities in this country involved in the party as well I'm sure will actually help."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8360185.stm
