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British National Party deputy leader Simon Darby has been suspended by City Hall for attacking the Archbishop of York as "anti-British".
Mr Darby now faces a disciplinary hearing and could be issued with a warning or even be dismissed by the Greater London Authority for bringing it into disrepute.
Mr Darby, whose part-time job at City Hall is funded by Londoners, came under fire last month when he hit back at criticism of his party by Archbishop Sentamu.
He said in a blog that the cleric "deserved to be attacked" and then went on to suggest that Ugandans "threw spears" at enemies.
A disciplinary investigation has found that there are grounds for action and Mr Darby has been suspended on full pay pending the hearing.
The BNP were today trying to stage a press conference but had to keep details secret over fears of a repeat of yesterday's ambush by anti-fascist groups, when party leader Nick Griffin had eggs thrown at him in Parliament Square.
Reader views (5)
Winston Churchill used alot more than EGGS to stop the rise of Fascism during WW2, and as for the BNP being "democracically" elected - an election that returned MEPs from a party that was OPPOSED by 94% of voters is definitely NOT democratic in any way, shape or form
- John Bennett, London UK
Its a sad day when elected MEP's cant hold press confrences for fear of assault by egg throwing hooligans. Perhaps the could benefit from some 'diversity training'...or does everyone just have to agree with them ?
- Neil, dorking
It's just an excuse for one political party (Labour) to oppress another.
- John, London
Grief! Whither free speech? Darby is entitled to his opinions even if he is a member of the BNP. I'm struggling to work out who the fascists are now.
- Mark Parker, London, UK
It seems totally unfair to suspend him. If you look at what he said there is nothing racist at all if taken in context. What are we coming to when we deny free speech to people we don't agree with and allow governement sponsered UAF demonstrators free reign to attack elected MEP's without being arrested?
- Janice Livings, Harrow
