BNP's new rules not likely to end discrimination
Friday 12 March 2010
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EmailThe new membership rules for the far-right British National Party are likely to discriminate against non-white people, a judge has ruled.
Last month the far-right group scrapped its whites-only policy following the threat of a possible court injunction from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
But at Central London County Court Judge Paul Collins ruled: "I hold that the BNP are likely to commit unlawful acts of discrimination within section 1b Race Relations Act 1976 in the terms on which they are prepared to admit persons to membership under the 12th addition of their constitution."
The EHRC said that the judgement found that, while it is not unlawful to hold discriminatory views, it is unlawful for such principles to be used for controlled entry to a political party.
EHRC director of legal enforcement Susie Uppal said: "The commission is glad that today's judgement confirms our view that both the BNP's 11th constitution and the amended 12th constitution are unlawful."
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