Its only because he’s white and BNP.
In the latest attack on free speech in ‘democratic’ Britain, a village hall in East Sussex is being threatened with having its rate subsidy cut by the local Labour council if it hosts a meeting featuring British National Party leader Nick Griffin MEP.
According to Hastings Borough Council leader Jeremy Birch, Mr Griffin is due to give a talk at Baldslow Memorial Hall in St Leonards, Hastings, on Sunday.
But the council said the meeting is “contrary to the interests of the community” and has told the people who run the hall they will have to pay back the £376 they received as a charity in rate relief if Mr Griffin’s speech goes ahead.
Cllr Birch said: “I can’t agree that Hastings people should be subsidising a charity that’s prepared to provide a platform to someone who is so completely opposed to the community harmony philosophy of this local authority.
“We have no intention of providing financial subsidy to those who aim to undermine these principles.
“If the charity wants to run a community facility for genuine community groups like Cubs, Scouts etc. then it can withdraw the booking from the BNP and the council will reconsider the business rates.”
British National Party media spokesman Simon Darby accused the Labour-run council of trying to blackmail the village hall.
He said: “It’s quite beyond belief what they are trying to do. They’re basically seeking to tax people who don’t agree with the Labour Party, which is not really the British way to do things.
“It’s effectively blackmail, putting a gun to the people that run the hall by giving them a financial penalty if Nick is allowed to speak there. He’s an MEP; he’s not some person off the street.”
British National Party South East Regional Organiser Nick Prince commented: “To think of the number of times Cllr Birch has referred to me as a fascist over the years, yet here he is proving who the real fascists are. I also think that what he is trying to achieve here is illegal.”
If anyone would like to exercise their democratic right to politely disagree with Cllr Birch, you can email him at cllr.jeremy.birch@hastings.gov.uk