Nick Griffin
Former British National Party chairman, cleared at a 2006 retrial of racial-hatred charges.
Nick Griffin led the British National Party and represented North West England in the European Parliament from 2009 to 2014.
Last refreshed: 22 October 2026
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Nick Griffin led the British National Party and represented North West England in the European Parliament from 2009 to 2014. He sat there as a non-attached member, with the BNP recorded as his national party throughout the term. His public career was built around far-right politics and attempts to turn the BNP into an electoral force.
Griffin was prosecuted over speeches filmed for the BBC documentary The Secret Agent. A jury at Leeds Crown Court cleared him and fellow BNP activist Mark Collett of racial-hatred charges at their 2006 retrial. The verdict resolved the criminal charges without endorsing the recorded remarks. The BBC said its undercover investigation exposed BNP members' activities and led to arrests.
What happened in Nick Griffin's 2006 trial?
Who is Nick Griffin?
When was Nick Griffin an MEP?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 22 October 2026. Editorial standards.