British National Party Leader Nick Griffin Prevented War In Syria, Spokesman Suggests

Andrew Neil Surprised To Learn Nick Griffin 'Prevented War In Syria'
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Andrew Neil at the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year Awards, at Claridges, in central London.
Dominic Lipinski/PA Archive

During one of the more surprising episodes of the Sunday Politics show, a BNP spokesperson suggested that their beloved leader prevented a war in Syria.

Simon Darby made the claim as he clashed with the BBC's Andrew Neil over the near extinction of support for the far-right party and Mr Griffin's appearance with Greek neo-Nazis Golden Dawn.

British National Party leader Nick Griffin "literally prevented a war in Syria", he said.

He asked for an apology from the BBC for "trying to put him (Mr Griffin) in prison twice merely for exposing the Muslim grooming scandal" but Mr Neil then asked why the BNP leader would not give an interview on the issue.

Mr Griffin was caught up in controversy after he posted a tweet apparently revealing the judgments of a jury in the trial of a Rochdale child sex ring before they had been heard in court, almost causing the case to collapse.

Asked why Mr Griffin would not give an interview on the subject, Mr Darby said: "Mr Griffin was in Syria. Nick was in Syria preventing a war, literally. He flew out to Damascus and prevented a war. He was instrumental in putting that letter across to the UK Parliament before that vote when we decided we wouldn't quite rightly interfere in Syria.

"The BBC never covered that so please don't pretend that we're just an ordinary political party that you cover like everyone else."

Mr Darby also claimed the BNP had lost all its council seats in Barking to Labour and was thrashed by the party in the 2010 general election because local MP Margaret Hodge "replaced the white indigenous population" of the constituency "with Africans".

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The Life and Times of Nick Griffin
Drummer Lee Rigby murder(01 of55)
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BNP leader Nick Griffin during a demonstration in Westminster in central London. (credit:PA)
Drummer Lee Rigby murder(02 of55)
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BNP leader Nick Griffin speaks during a demonstration in Westminster in central London. (credit:PA)
Drummer Lee Rigby court case(03 of55)
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British National Party Chairman Nick Griffin joins members of the British Veterans' Group outside the Old Bailey in London ahead of a court hearing of Michael Adebolajo, 28, and Michael Adebowale, 22, who are charged with the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby. (credit:PA)
Drummer Lee Rigby court case(04 of55)
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British National Party Chairman Nick Griffin joins members of the British Veterans' Group outside the Old Bailey in London ahead of a court hearing of Michael Adebolajo, 28, and Michael Adebowale, 22, who are charged with the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby. (credit:PA)
Nick Griffin Race Hate Trial - Leeds Magistrates Court(05 of55)
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British National Party leader Nick Grifffin (left) was bailed after appearing charged with four race hate offences. Griffin, 45, was charged by West Yorkshire Police yesterday following a long-running investigation into the BBC documentary The Secret Agent, which secretly filmed BNP activists. The father-of-four was joined in the dock by the party's founder, John Tyndall, 70, who is charged with two of the same offences. (credit:PA)
Drummer Lee Rigby murder(06 of55)
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BNP leader Nick Griffin during a demonstration in Westminster in central London. (credit:PA)
Woolwich Street Attack(07 of55)
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BNP leader Nick Griffin leaves flowers at the scene where the soldier Lee Rigby was murdered in Woolwich, Southeast London. (credit:PA)
Woolwich Street Attack(08 of55)
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BNP leader Nick Griffin leaves flowers at the scene where the soldier Lee Rigby was murdered in Woolwich, Southeast London. (credit:PA)
Woolwich Street Attack(09 of55)
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BNP leader Nick Griffin leaves flowers at the scene where the soldier Lee Rigby was murdered in Woolwich, Southeast London. (credit:PA)
Griffin contempt ruling(10 of55)
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BNP leader Nick Griffin leaves the High Court in London, after he fought off a bid to have him declared guilty of contempt of court today. (credit:PA)
Griffin contempt ruling(11 of55)
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BNP leader Nick Griffin addresses the media as he leaves the High Court in London, after he fought off a bid to have him declared guilty of contempt of court today. (credit:PA)
Griffin's Palace invitation withdrawn(12 of55)
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BNP Leader Nick Griffin who has had his invitation to a Buckingham Palace garden party withdrawn today because he was using it for "party political purposes", arrives at Television Studios in Milbank, central London. (credit:PA)
Griffin's Palace invitation withdrawn(13 of55)
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BNP Leader Nick Griffin who has had his invitation to a Buckingham Palace garden party withdrawn today because he was using it for "party political purposes", leaves Television Studios in Milbank, central London after several interviews. (credit:PA)
Griffin's Palace invitation withdrawn(14 of55)
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Nick Griffin leaves London's Milbank TV studios this afternoon. The British National Party leader, has been banned from a Buckingham Palace garden party after officials said he was using his invitation for party political purposes (credit:PA)
Griffin's Palace invitation withdrawn(15 of55)
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Nick Griffin holds his invitation from Buckingham palace as he arrives at Millbank studios in London this afternoon. The British National Party leader, has been banned from a Buckingham Palace garden party after officials said he was using his invitation for party political purposes (credit:PA)
2010 General Election declarations(16 of55)
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The Leader of the British National Party Nick Griffin kisses his wife Jackie, at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham Essex, where the General Election declaration will be announced this evening. (credit:PA)
2010 General Election declarations(17 of55)
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The Leader of the British National Party Nick Griffin arrives with his wife Jackie, at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham Essex, for the General Election declaration, this evening. (credit:PA)
2010 General Election campaign Apr 23rd(18 of55)
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Nick Griffin and wife Jackie (right) arrive with a man dressed as Saint George at the Civic Centre in Stoke as the British National Party (BNP) launch their 2010 General Election manifesto in Stoke-On-Trent. (credit:PA)
BNP membership ruling(19 of55)
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British National Party (BNP) leader Nick Griffin (left) arrives at the Central London County Court, London, where a judge ruled today the party's new membership rules are likely to discriminate against non-white people. (credit:PA)
BNP membership ruling(20 of55)
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NOTE ALTERNATE CROP British National Party (BNP) leader Nick Griffin (left) arrives at the Central London County Court, London, where a judge ruled today the party's new membership rules are likely to discriminate against non-white people. (credit:PA)
2010 General Election campaign Apr 23rd(21 of55)
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Nick Griffin arrives at the Civic Centre in Stoke as the British National Party (BNP) launch their 2010 General Election manifesto in Stoke-On-Trent. (credit:PA)
BNP MP Campaign(22 of55)
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The leader of the BNP Nick Griffin has a chat with a supported in a pub as he kicked off his campaign to become an MP today with a walkabout in Barking, east London. (credit:PA)
Glasgow North East by-election(23 of55)
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BNP leader Nick Griffin on the campaign trail for the Glasgow North East By-election, on Duke Street in Glasgow. (credit:PA)
Griffin visits Hamilton(24 of55)
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British National Party leader Nick Griffin during a visit to veterans support charity FEBA in Hamilton, Scotland. (credit:PA)
Nick Griffin on Question Time(25 of55)
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Demonstrators outside the BBC's Television Centre in west London, ahead of BNP leader Nick Griffin's appearance on Question Time later tonight. (credit:PA)
Nick Griffin on Question Time(26 of55)
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Someone holds a poster featuring a distorted image of BNP leader Nick Griffin at a Unite Against Fascism rally at Conway hall, London, in protest against the planned BNP leader's appearance on the BBC's Question Time tomorrow night. (credit:PA)
Local and European elections 2009(27 of55)
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BNP Leader Nick Griffin celebrates with his wife Jackie after the results of the European Parliamentary Election were announced at Manchester Town Hall. (credit:PA)
Local and European elections 2009(28 of55)
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BNP leader Nick Griffin in Welshpool the day after his party's success in the European elections. (credit:PA)
Local and European elections 2009(29 of55)
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BNP Leader Nick Griffin celebrates after the results of the European Parliamentary Election were announced at Manchester Town Hall. (credit:PA)
Local and European elections 2009(30 of55)
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Other elected MEPs leave the stage as BNP leader Nick Griffin takes to the platform after the results of the European Parliamentary Election were announced at Manchester Town Hall. (credit:PA)
Nick Griffin(31 of55)
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BNP Leader Nick Griffin, at the Ace of Diamonds pub in the Miles Platting area of Manchester, during a news conference. (credit:PA)
Local and European elections 2009(32 of55)
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BNP leader Nick Griffin celebrates after the results of the European Parliamentary Election were announced at Manchester Town Hall. (credit:PA)
Local and European elections 2009(33 of55)
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BNP Leader Nick Griffin celebrates after the results of the European Parliamentary Election were announced at Manchester Town Hall. (credit:PA)
Nick Griffin(34 of55)
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BNP Leader Nick Griffin, MEP, sits at the bar of the Ace of Diamonds pub in the Miles Platting area of Manchester, ahead of a news conference. (credit:PA)
Local and European elections 2009(35 of55)
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BNP Leader Nick Griffin (centre) and Andrew Brons (blue tie), the party's new MEP for Yorkshire & Humber, talk to a group of waiting media outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, central London, before the press conference was disrupted by anti-BNP demonstrators. (credit:PA)
Local and European elections 2009(36 of55)
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BNP Leader Nick Griffin (left) and Andrew Brons, the party's new MEP for Yorkshire & Humber, talk to a group of waiting media outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, central London, before the press conference was disrupted by anti-BNP demonstrators. (credit:PA)
Local and European elections 2009(37 of55)
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BNP leader Nick Griffin (right) runs for his car as he abandons a press conference outside the Houses of Parliament in London after protesters barracked him and threw eggs. (credit:PA)
Local and European elections 2009(38 of55)
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BNP leader Nick Griffin with his wife Jackie in Welshpool the day after his party's success in the European elections. (credit:PA)
BNP Leader cleared of Race Hate Charges(39 of55)
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BNP Party Leader Nick Griffin(left) and Mark Collett open champagne as they were cleared of race hate charges at Leeds Crown Court today. (credit:PA)
BNP Leader cleared of Race Hate Charges(40 of55)
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BNP Party Leader Nick Griffin after he was cleared of race hate charges at Leeds Crown Court today. (credit:PA)
BNP Leader cleared of Race Hate Charges(41 of55)
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BNP Party Leader Nick Griffin(left) and Mark Collett open champagne as they were cleared of race hate charges at Leeds Crown Court today. (credit:PA)
BNP Leader cleared of Race Hate Charges(42 of55)
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BNP Party Leader Nick Griffin(left) and Mark Collett open champagne as they were cleared of race hate charges at Leeds Crown Court today. (credit:PA)
COURTS BNP(43 of55)
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BNP leader Nick Griffin (centre right - white shirt) and Mark Collett (arm in air) leave Leeds Crown Court Thursday February 2, 2006, at the end of their trial. Griffin was cleared of two race hate charges and the jury failed to reach verdicts on two others. Collett was cleared of four charges and the jury failed to reach verdicts on a further four counts in his case. See PA story COURTS BNP. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Photo creit should read: John Giles / PA. (credit:PA)
COURTS BNP(44 of55)
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BNP leader Nick Griffin embraces a supporter as he leaves Leeds Crown Court Thursday February 2, 2006, surrounded at the end of hbis trial. Griffin was cleared of two race hate charges and the jury failed to reach verdicts on two others. See PA story COURTS BNP. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Photo creit should read: John Giles / PA. (credit:PA)
COURTS BNP(45 of55)
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British National Party leader Nick Griffin (right) and party activist Mark Collett (left) arrive at Leeds Crown Court where their trial continues Tuesday January 24, 2006. Griffin has pleaded not guilty to four race hate charges in connection with a BBC undercover documentary on the party, while Collett has denied eight similar charges. Watch for PA story COURTS BNP. PRESS ASSOCIATION photo. Photo credit should read: John Giles/PA. (credit:PA)
General Election 2005(46 of55)
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BNP leader Nick Griffin arrives at the General Election count at the Kings Hall. (credit:PA)
General Election 2005(47 of55)
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BNP leader Nick Griffin arrives at the General Election count at the Kings Hall. (credit:PA)
BNP - Leeds Crown Court(48 of55)
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BNP Leader Nick Griffin leaves court. Griffin pleaded not guilty to four race hate charges arising out of an undercover documentary about the party. Griffin appeared alongside party activist Mark Collett, who denies eight similar charges. Both men were charged following a police investigation stemming from the broadcast of the BBC Secret Agent programme. (credit:PA)
BNP - Oldham - Nick Griffin(49 of55)
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Leader of the British National Party, Nick Griffin, out canvassing in the Chadderton district of Oldham where he is standing as a candidate in the local council elections. (credit:PA)
BNP - Oldham - Nick Griffin(50 of55)
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Leader of the British National Party, Nick Griffin, out canvassing in the Chadderton district of Oldham where he is standing as a candidate in the local council elections. (credit:PA)
BNP - Local Elections(51 of55)
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Leader of the British National Party, Nick Griffin, arrives at the local election count in Chadderton town hall in Oldham, Greater Manchester. (credit:PA)
Elections Oldham Griffin BNP gags(52 of55)
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BNP candidates in Oldham, Nick Griffin (right) and Mick Treacy wear gags over their mouths after all candidates were banned from making speeches after the 2001 General Election results for the two Oldham wards were announced. * ...at the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre in Oldham, where Mr Griffin is fighting the seat of Oldham West and Royton. (credit:PA)
Elections Oldham Griffin BNP(53 of55)
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British National Party chairman Nick Griffin looks on as the counting of General Election votes gets under way at the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre, in Oldham, where Mr Griffin is fighting the seat of Oldham West and Royton. (credit:PA)
Vauxhall Luton protest police(54 of55)
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Nick Reilly (centre), Chairman and Managing Director of the Vauxhall car manufacturer addresses demonstrators, at Vauxhall HQ, Griffin House, in Luton, in an attempt to quell angry protests. Hundreds of workers staged angry protests. * ...in response to the shock announcement that car production is to close with the loss of 2,000 jobs. The workers staged unofficial walkouts from the Luton factory, disruption production of the Vectra car as they laid siege to the company's head office. (credit:PA)
Manchester Oldham BNP(55 of55)
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Nick Griffin, chairman of the British Nationalist Party canvasses for his party in Royton, Oldham, near Manchester. There has been race related riots in Oldham during the past two weekends. (credit:PA)

Ms Hodge has been Labour MP for Barking since 1994 and won the 2010 poll with 24,628 votes and a 54.31% vote share.

Mr Darby said: "You mention Barking, it's very interesting Barking because I was involved with the Barking campaign.

"What Labour did and what you should be focusing on, what Margaret Hodge and what her Labour Party did was they replaced the white indigenous population in Barking and Dagenham with Africans, that's how they won that election, that's a scandal."

Ms Hodge dismissed Mr Darby's comments about Barking as "racist claptrap" and said the BNP is a "spent force".

She said: "It is racist claptrap.

"The reason that we won the election and the reason that the BNP is a spent force is that we have brought the white working class back to supporting Labour through the work that I have done and through the work our councillors are doing and the Labour Party is doing.

"That was true in 2010 and it is true in 2014.

"(His claims) are just wrong."