BNP leader arrested over incitement to racial hatred

The leader of the British National Party was being questioned last night by police investigating racism in the organisation, the party said.

The leader of the British National Party was being questioned last night by police investigating racism in the organisation, the party said.

Nick Griffin, 45, was arrested in the morning by West Yorkshire Police on suspicion of incitement to commit racial hatred. The arrest came as part of an investigation into the BBC programme Secret Agent, screened on 15 July.

West Yorkshire Police said that, as part of the same investigation, three Bradford men, aged 23, 29 and 33, were charged yesterday with racially aggravated intentional harassment. The three are due to appear before Leeds magistrates' court on 16 December.

Yesterday afternoon around a dozen BNP members arrived outside Halifax police station, in West Yorkshire, where Mr Griffin is believed to be held. They stood outside the front door holding posters condemning the police action.