Stroud pint hurler welcomes BNP on Question Time

A teenager who threw a pint over British National Party leader Nick Griffin has backed the BBC's decision to invite him as a guest on Question Time.

The 18-year-old campaigner, known only as Ben, hit the headlines this summer after showering the far-right politician with Guinness at The Falcon Inn, Painswick. But Ben was not among the protesters at Thursday's demonstration outside the BBC's Television Centre in West London.

He said: "I didn't go to London on Thursday, chiefly because I actually wholeheartedly believe in the BBC's decision to let nasty Nick appear on Question Time. The BNP is a party hiding behind a thin veneer of respectability and it is only through public exposure and debate that we will be able to show them for what they are.

"The public have a right and a duty to understand what these people truly stand for, else they will receive more and more 'blind votes' as disillusionment with mainstream inevitably grows. I think my point was demonstrated by how uncomfortable Nick Griffin looked throughout his appearance."

Ben, who accepted a police caution for common assault after hurling the pint at Mr Griffin, also dismissed claims by the politician that he was unfairly treated on the show.

He said: "He claims that he was unfairly treated by a 'lynch mob' but this lynch mob which attacked him throughout the programme was a group of elected politicians, all of whom represent parties with far greater public support than the BNP – and members of the general public. I can only but wonder what would happen to this 'lynch mob', of which so many of us are members, should he have his way."

No one from the BNP was available for comment.

This is Gloucestershire

Man cautioned for throwing pint over BNP leader

A teenager who hurled a pint of Guinness over British National Party leader Nick Griffin has been cautioned by police.

The 18-year-old Stroud man admitted common assault against Mr Griffin and claimed it was a political protest. The incident on July 11 caused a storm which made it all the way from the Falcon Inn in Painswick to the House of Commons, with allegations and counter-allegations made in the aftermath.

The teenager, known as "Ben", admitted common assault after Mr Griffin made a complaint to Gloucestershire Constabulary on July 23. Speaking at the time, he said he caught a taxi to the village to confront Mr Griffin and left the pub voluntarily after he was sworn at by some of those present. When Mr Griffin left, the teenager threw the contents of a pint of Guinness over him - although not the glass. He said he was then asked to leave the Falcon before being spat on in the street and verbally abused by people outside.

After the incident hit the headlines, Stroud Labour MP David Drew raised the matter in the House of Commons, describing Ben as "totally upstanding" and said he was "given one hell of a hiding" after the incident.

Mr Drew said he was not prepared to see the BNP in his constituency. Then Mr Griffin made a complaint to the police. A Gloucestershire police spokeswoman said the 18-year-old attended Stroud police station and voluntarily admitted common assault on a 50-year-old man after the incident. She added he was given a caution.

BNP spokesman John Walker said objections to his party should come through the ballot box and not violence.

"It goes to show that people cannot go around taking liberties with elected members of the European Parliament," he said. "It's an unfortunate incident and the young man should have known better. If he does not like the BNP there are plenty of other parties he can vote for."

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Teenager explains BNP attack

The teenager who hurled a drink over British National Party leader Nick Griffin said he wanted him to know people will not tolerate his views.

The 18-year-old, from Stroud, caught a taxi to the Falcon Inn in Painswick because he wanted to make his point peacefully but forcefully with Mr Griffin.

"I have a serious objection to the BNP," he said. "I had intended go and confront him verbally and say my piece to him. Something needs to be done wherever he goes. While I was outside, he was leaving the pub and I was not comfortable with him visiting the area without getting a taste of people's feelings towards him."

He said he left the pub on July 11 after an argument with another of Mr Griffin's party. While waiting outside, the teen saw his chance as the BNP leader walked out of the front door.

"I left the pub voluntarily because after having a conversation with one member of the party – I was sworn at by some of his colleagues," said Ben, who did not want to be identified with his full name. "I felt a bit intimidated – there were 20 of them. Nick Griffin came out and I decided to splash him with Guinness. I was swiftly put in a headlock by one of his security people. I was backing away and had my hands splayed out. They started taking me down the road, and I was worried about that. Then a member of staff from the Falcon came out and took me off the BNP security person and took me back in to the pub. Then I was asked to leave the pub via a different door."

But he said he was later spat on in the street and verbally abused by a member of the party in a car. He said he declined to make a formal complaint to the police, and excused the spitting incident, as he had thrown the drink, although not the glass, over Mr Griffin.

BNP spokesman John Walker said: "People have to start to realise now that they cannot go around taking liberties with a member of the European Parliament, whichever party they represent. We won't put up with it. It is not civilised behaviour. If he got duffed up, he was a victim of his own misfortune. Everyone has a legitimate outlet for their opinions at the ballot box. He was asked to leave the pub. He chose to wait outside and threw a pint of beer. Whatever happened after that, I have no sympathy for him."

Staff at the Falcon Inn declined to comment.

Last week, Gloucestershire police issued a statement regarding the incident confirming Ben did not want to make a formal complaint.

This is Gloucestershire