FYI: Gordon Brown’s Labour Party is at heart of far left EU group. — Ed.
Fears are growing he will be at the centre of a wave of victories in next month’s elections that would give nationalist parties a firm foothold in Europe.
Searchlight, the international anti-fascist magazine, has suggested they could pass the threshold of 25 MEPs from seven countries necessary to form a European Parliament grouping entitled to public funding worth up to £1 million per year.
Over the last year, Mr Griffin has strengthened links to extremist European groups to prepare the way for a far-right surge at euro elections next month.
High-level Labour sources have told The Daily Telegraph that a high abstention rate, fuelled by popular disgust over the Westminster MP expenses scandal, could lead to the election of at least four BNP MEPs, including Mr Griffin.
Should Mr Griffin be elected in the North West region with at least three colleagues from the North East, East Midlands and London, he would be among those competing to become the leader of Europe’s far right.
Other extremist groups in Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy and Slovakia are expected to make major gains during the elections after using the economic crisis to stir up resentment against Roma gipsy minorities.
The French National Front already has four MEPs led by Jean-Marie Le Pen, who was stripped of parliamentary privileges this year because he described Auschwitz as a “detail of history” during a debate in March.
A new political grouping would be eligible for £5 million of public funding over the next five year term of the European Union assembly enabling it to promote political links across Europe and publicise their cause with “information” and conferences.
Gordon Brown and other senior government members are afraid that public disenchantment with politicians and the economic crisis will lead to low turnout during the elections on June 4 and will open the door to the BNP and other far-right extremists across Europe.
“Their strategy is not just ideological but ruthlessly practical,” said a spokesman for Searchlight. “If they are able to get group status with their colleagues then they will have access to millions of pounds in resources, paid by the taxpayer, to fund their campaigns.”
Ahead of the elections, the BNP has been developing international contacts in order to prepare the ground for the new pan-European extreme nationalist international.