BNP's leader back in the dock

Griffin, 47, of Llanerfyl, Powys, is charged with one count of using words or behaviour intended to stir up racial hatred and an alternative count of using words or behaviour likely to stir up racial hatred.

Rodney Jameson QC, was opening the prosecution's case against the BNP leader and fellow party activist Mark Collett at Leeds Crown Court.

Outside the court building in central Leeds this morning, demonstrators waved flags and placards as the pair arrived.

Griffin is charged over a speech he made in Keighley, West Yorkshire, in 2004, which was filmed by an undercover reporter from the BBC.

Collett, 25, of Rothley, Leicestershire, faces four similar charges which relate to two speeches he made in the town during the same year.

Earlier this week, the Recorder of Leeds, Judge Norman Jones QC, asked the jury of seven women and five men to approach the retrial "without prejudice and without bias".

The judge also urged the jurors to ignore the dozens of protesters who were demonstrating outside the court building.

Today, only a handful of demonstrators were present.

Scuffles broke out outside Leeds Crown Court on Wednesday as Griffin made his way into court.

Griffin's security clashed with photographers before the start of the retrial on charges of inciting racial hatred.

At least one good luck card, featuring a four-leaf clover, was visible in front of the defendants in the dock as Griffin typed on his laptop computer during yesterday's hearing.

Then, Judge Norman Jones QC asked the jurors to "search your own consciences" and to approach the aspects of the case "without prejudice and without bias".

Dozens of rival demonstrators gathered in anticipation of the start of the case.

They were waving placards and chanting slogans at each other.

By Steve Todd