Former BNP leader from Welshpool denies inciting race hate with cartoon
Nick Griffin, of Welshpool, Powys, is accused over a post on X featuring a cartoon of a giant spider with a Star of David on its head.
Former leader of the British National Party (BNP) Nick Griffin has appeared in court to deny stirring up racial hatred with a cartoon shared on social media.
The 67-year-old, who led the BNP from 1999 to 2014, is facing a private criminal prosecution brought by activists from the Campaign Against Antisemitism.
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At Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, Griffin entered not guilty pleas to two charges – displaying material likely to stir up racial hatred and publishing or distributing material likely to stir up racial hatred.
Mr Justice Swift adjourned the case for a trial, which is set to begin on May 11 next year.
Griffin, of Welshpool, Powys, is accused over a post on X featuring a cartoon of a giant spider with a Star of David on its head.
It is said he accompanied the allegedly antisemitic cartoon with a comment, in a post which was put on social media on December 6 2021.
The post was “abusive or insulting”, it is said, and Griffin is accused of “intending to stir up racial hatred”.
Griffin sat behind his barrister for the day-long court hearing, and is set to return to court for the trial.