Ex-BNP leader Nick Griffin denies stirring up racial hatred with cartoon

Former British National Party (BNP) leader Nick Griffin has denied stirring up racial hatred by posting a cartoon on social media.

The 67-year-old, who led the BNP from 1999 to 2014, is facing a private prosecution brought by the Campaign Against Antisemitism.

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.

Griffin, of Welshpool, Powys, is accused of posting on X a cartoon of a giant spider with a Star of David on its head.

It is said the post, on 6 December 2021, was accompanied with a comment.

The post was "abusive or insulting", it is said, and Griffin is accused of "intending to stir up racial hatred".

Mr Justice Swift adjourned the case and set a trial date of 11 May next year.