BNP would abandon 30,000 Gibraltarians

12.00.00am GMT Mon 30th Nov 2009

Graham addresses a crowd on Gibraltar national day

British National Party Leader Nick Griffin has sparked furious criticism after he told a rally of Spanish fascists that the BNP would hand Gibraltar to Spain against the wishes of nearly all its 30,000 inhabitants.

Griffin hoped to make a quiet sop to Spanish extremists, but was exposed by anti-BNP campaigners. Graham Watson represents Gibraltar in the European Parliament and was angered by Griffin's comments.

He said;

"Griffin's words show the complete lack of respect that the BNP hold towards freedom and democracy.

"Far from defending the British people, he has shown that his party would betray the trust of thousands in order to please his fascist friends.

"As long as the people of Gibraltar wish to remain British subjects, they should be guaranteed protection by the British government. The BNP may wish abandon British subjects, but I will never support it."