Griffin plans more wasted money

Undeterred by the huge sums of money the British National Party already owes in legal costs, Nick Griffin is considering applying for a judicial review of the BBC’s decision not to invite his party to take part in Question Time again.

Writing on his blog today, Simon Darby, the BNP’s press spokesman, complained that the party was “effectively banned” from appearing on the flagship political discussion programme. “Upon that matter we are now looking at a the concept of a judicial review as the BBC refuse to budge,” added Darby.

Judicial review is an expensive legal process by which an individual can apply to the Administrative Court, part of the High Court, for a review of a decision by a public authority such as a local council. A claim can only be brought if the High Court grants leave.

A barrister told Searchlight that the cost of bringing judicial review proceedings, which would need specialist legal representatives, was likely to amount to at least £50,000.

Why Griffin should want to appear on Question Time again after his dismal performance last time is unclear. Many people count his appearance on the programme in October 2009, when he defended the Ku Klux Klan and refused clearly to reject Holocaust denial, as one of the elements that prompted the criticism of his leadership that has grown steadily since then.

Searchlight / HOPE not hate by Sonia Gable