Can Griffin survive?

One thing I have learnt since being editor of Searchlight is that it is foolhardy to make rash predictions. Political fortunes can change by the minute and there is no accounting for the whims of human nature.

However, looking back on the past week it is increasingly clear that Nick Griffin is in serious trouble. Quite how much trouble is difficult to ascertain.

Over 50 BNP organisers, councillors and party officials have now resigned their positions and many more appear close to doing so. Virtually every organiser in Yorkshire and Scotland and a large chunk of the East Midlands have signed up to the rebellion. Searchlight is hearing that all is not well in the West Midlands and rumours are circulating that the BNP group on Barking & Dagenham council are split, with the majority opposing Richard Barnbrook’s support for Griffin.

If that wasn’t enough then there is the announcement by the Electoral Commission that they intend to investigate the BNP for the non-declaration of donations. Yesterday, Jon Cruddas MP wrote to the Commander of the Metropolitan Police demanding an investigation into alleged bugging of phones or laptops and the theft of private property.

Nick Griffin is in serious trouble. Despite the public statements from the leaders of the rebellion that they are not after Griffin’s removal there is clearly little room for reconciliation. Matt Single’s statement issued yesterday and Ian Dawson’s reply to Nick Griffin’s own article on the BNP website makes it clear that they now blame him for the events of recent days. The bitterness they show in their statements can never be healed. Then there are Griffin supporters, like Simon Darby, who have been actively smearing his opponents by phone, email and text and likewise will never be forgiven.

Whatever the outcome of this feud it is clear that leading members of one group or the other will not be in the BNP, or at least in the positions they held seven days ago.

The situation is only going to get worse for Griffin. A momentum is building up within the party against the leadership and we expect several organisers who so far have remained silent to side with the rebels. Next week Searchlight will produce a dossier on the financial irregularities and mismanagement within the BNP and this is likely to trigger a new investigation from the authorities.

Griffin is stuck in an impossible place. His sectarian and conspiratorial nature automatically leads him to manoeuvre against internal critics, as we have seen so often over the years, which of course creates resentment and a desire for revenge. He could move against Collett to save his own position but Searchlight is aware that the Head of Publicity has evidence that can sink Griffin instantly and he has indicated that he is prepared to use it if he himself falls. His leadership and authority would also be in tatters. Alternatively he could carry on and fight it out but the pendulum is swinging against him and fewer and fewer local organisers are now prepared to speak out in support of him.

However, Griffin will not go without a fight. If there is one lesson that we can learn from his 33 years of far right involvement is that when he cannot win, he destroys.

Griffin’s position is looking increasingly untenable and the chickens are coming home to roost. A police investigation could sink him and his cohorts and in the process destroy the credibility of the BNP. Griffin’s dictatorial style and authoritarian desire to crush his opponents has set off a train of events over which he has no control.

We wonder how many party members would be willing to pay into Griffin’s next defence fund.

Stop The BNP