BNP leader Nick Griffin declared bankrupt
BNP leader Nick Griffin is declared bankrupt, but insists he will still run for re-election to the European Parliament in May.
Mr Griffin tweeted on Friday that BNP party funds were not affected in any way by the bankruptcy, which has been listed at the Insolvency Service. He also said that the bankruptcy was of “no political significance whatsoever”.
A note for all: Being bankrupt does NOT prevent me being or standing as an MEP. It does free me from financial worries. A good day!
— Nick Griffin MEP (@nickgriffinmep) January 3, 2014
He said: “This order will not prevent me fighting for the interests of the British people or leading the British National Party to a fresh round of electoral victories.
“It’s of no political significance whatsoever. I will take whatever is thrown at me and deal with it. I champion the right of the British people to their land and I will never surrender.”
European elections
Mr Griffin also tweeted a link to the European Parliament’s guidance on standing as a candidate, which states that “bankruptcy in itself is not a disqualification”.
The guidance says candidates are only disqualified if they are “currently subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order or debt relief restrictions order made by a court in England or Wales.”
He added that “the BNP will again be offering voters a choice between a real nationalist alternative and Ukip Tories of the BBC pet Nigel Farage in the European elections”.
Party funds are not affected in any way. Our campaign in May will be our most professional yet & I will be lead candidate in the North West.
— Nick Griffin MEP (@nickgriffinmep) January 3, 2014
An article on the BNP website said that Mr Griffin had been declared bankrupt after being “ordered to pay what amounted to nearly £120,000 in outstanding monies and costs to Gilbert Davies & Partners”.
Gilbert Davies & Partners is a law firm that represented Mr Griffin on previous cases, the BNP said.
Mr Griffin had offered to repay 42p in the pound over a five-year period, but this was rejected by Welshpool County Court.
Mr Griffin added that he would be using the experience to benefit “hard-up constituents by producing a booklet on dealing with debt.”