Posted on 02/02/2006 9:18:50 AM PST by chunk2005
A jury at Leeds Crown Court has cleared BNP leader Nick Griffin of two racial hatred charges and BNP activist Mark Collett of four others. The jury has been discharged after failing to reach verdicts on the remaining charges - four against Mr Collett and two against Mr Griffin.
Mr Griffin, 44, and Mr Collett, 24, had denied using words intended to stir up hatred in West Yorkshire in 2004.
Mr Griffin said the verdicts were a "tremendous victory for freedom".
Their six speeches were filmed by an undercover BBC journalist for a documentary on the BNP.
Mr Griffin told supporters outside the court that the verdicts were a "fantastic day for the people of this country".
womder if abu hamza will get to say the same thing.
Anyways, the undercover BBC reporter would be jobless if attempting to expose muzlims coz theseworthies openly preach their hatred.
It is a victory for freedom of speech but lest we forget these are rascists with which a freedom loving conservative can have little sympathy .
Do not think they are heroes - they are not.
Well said. From what I'm reading, the BNP is a party of socialists in the Nazi tradition. Still, they should have the same freedom of speech, just as we are free to criticize them.
Welcome to the club.
I am sure that George Orwell quietly concurs- somewhere in what ever heaven exists.
My sentiments exactly...
kind regards
Well said. The BNP is indeed a 'front' for Skinheads who enjoy causing trouble for troubles fun sake. The slightest hint of ractial tension in an area and they will arrive in force to stir it up.
I can't say I am pleased they are free men as these guys would be better off the streets, but this particular charge did stink of 'thought policing'. I feel that a prossecution would be nore creidible if they had done more investigation and could have connected the pair more directly with specific violent crimes. Sadly this opportunity may now be lost.
It is the the second shot against the government for freedom of speech in the UK this week (the race hate legislation failed in the commons earlier this week - which is a good thing as it would effectivley have outlawed half of Money Python!)
Agreed.
In related news, the presiding judge has accepted a filing of slander against the acquitted defendants from a group calling itself the Legal Defense Fund of Cockroaches Liberation Front.
Oh, no, any piece of legislation that threatens to outlaw Monty Python must be stopped. (Big fan here!) Too much thought policing happening. Thanks for your post.
But what are 'ese 'ere 'Boncentration Bamps' the BNP keeps talking about?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.