Eggs greet Griffin in shadow of parliament
Nick Griffin forced to abandon Westminster news conference after being pelted with eggs by demonstrators (Sky News)
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Tuesday, 09, Jun 2009 07:18
British National party leader Nick Griffin has been forced to abandon a Westminster news conference after being pelted with eggs by anti-fascists.
Mr Griffin, elected as one of the north-west region's five MEPs this week, was due to address journalists when the event was hijacked by demonstrators.
Before Monday the BNP had never won a single seat in the European parliament, but another candidate, Andrew Brons, was also elected as an MEP on Monday night.
Speaking to the BBC, Donna Guthrie of Unite Against Fascism (UAF) said Mr Griffin "may be an elected politician but he is an elected politician from a fascist party".
"This is not a person who should be given any coverage by a legitimate free press," she added.
Mr Griffin, after being whisked away in a nearby car, said of the UAF: "This is a militia being organised by the British political class to disrupt lawful political parties."
The Metropolitan police confirmed they had received several complaints in relation to the incident.
"Two members of the public, one male and a female in her 20s have been taken to hospital. Their condition is not known at this stage but is not believed to be serious or life threatening," a statement said.
"Police are investigating a number of issues including allegations of egg-throwing, common assault and a road traffic collision."