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Black writer Bonnie Greer will take part in a televised debate with far right British National Party leader Nick Griffin, the BBC confirmed today.
The Anglo-American playwright and critic is to face Mr Griffin when she appears on the panel of BBC One's Question Time on October 22.
The corporation said last month that Mr Griffin would appear on the programme, hosted by David Dimbleby, along with Justice Secretary Jack Straw.
The move came after Mr Straw became the first senior Labour politician to say that he was willing to appear on the show with Mr Griffin.
The BBC sparked controversy when it announced that it would be willing to feature representatives of the BNP on Question Time after the party won two seats in the European Parliament in elections in June.
Labour reviewed its long-standing approach of refusing to share a platform with the BNP and Gordon Brown made clear he was ready to allow a minister to take on Mr Griffin, now an MEP for the North West of England.
But Cabinet ministers such as Peter Hain and Alan Johnson said they would not go on Question Time if the BNP leader was invited.
Anti-fascist campaigners plan to stage a protest against the BNP leader's presence on the show at the BBC's Television Centre in west London.
A statement on the Unite Against Fascism website said: "We are calling a demonstration outside Question Time at the BBC's Wood Lane centre to show our opposition to Griffin and the shameful decision to grant him a platform.
"We encourage all anti-fascists in the London area to come to the demonstration and to apply for tickets to the Question Time audience."
A spokesman for the BBC said: "We are obliged in our charter to treat all parties registered with the Electoral Commission, operating within the law, with due impartiality that is reflected in the amount of time we give them.
"We have already interviewed Nick Griffin on other programmes in the past, that is why he is featuring on Question Time."
A spokeswoman for Hammersmith and Fulham Council said they would prefer the BBC to move the edition of Question Time to another location in the light of the predicted demonstrations.
She said: "Our concern is with the disruption to our residents who are trying to get in and out of Shepherd's Bush at that time of day in their thousands.
"We would prefer it were in a different location rather than in the heart of our borough."
The council has written to the BBC, she said, to ask what measures it was planning to put in place to help mitigate the impact on residents.
Greer, a playwright and author, was born in the US but has lived in the UK since 1986.
Reader views (39)
If we dont let him on question time, and make the BNP a taboo subject then that is giving them power that we dont want them to have, of we just allow them to say what they want to say, i personally dont agree with anything they stand for, but if we dont let them speak more and more people will go to them because it seems they are the change that this country needs when they are definitely not!
- Rebecca Sword, Windsor, Berkshire, England
Mark, South East London
I'm sure even that old soldier prefers our vibrant, diverse and democratic society with all its faults than a Nazi jackboot imposing an alien, totalitarian philosophy on Britain. Does he remember his brothers in arms from America, Canada, the Anzacs, the Ghurkas, the Indians, the Africans, the West Indians and many others? Did they sacrifice so that their descendants would be despised for living, working and loving a country they helped to defend and rebuild? The BNP are hate mongers who are nothing more than a White Taliban and like the Taliban they preach to the ignorant and the inadequate who blame others for their own failings rather than dealing with them. Well, I say no thanks to the sad haters!
Frank, Home Counties
You are right about the polarization not felt since the 70s. But now, as then, the vile fascists will be defeated. The BNP are nothing more than the NF in suits. Also the far right have killed and maimed UK citizens too or have you conveniently forgotten the Soho, Brixton and Brick Lane bombings.
- Veritas Noire, Purley
Muslim extremists have been allowed to have their say on the BBC and they actually murder the people of this country.
Politics is circular, the Far Left are close neighbours to the Far Right. Both are as bad as each other.
You know I have never know this society to be so polarised. I think the last time this happened was in the 70s when ... oh yes, Labour were in power.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
Micheal,
You miss the point either deliberately or unintentionally.
When this country was under threat my ancestors volunteered freely to defend it; they did not form part of colonial armies in other countries. Many, many others did exactly the same and they did not care who they fought nor their believes.
My history is more than sufficient to know the triumphs, faults and hypocrisy of the English throughout history but that's not what I am talking about. I'm purely talking about all those years of strife and many, many lives to protect something over centuries/millennia just to watch transient, here today gone tomorrow, politicians virtually chuck away it all away last thirty years.
- Mark, South-East London
To Mark, South-East London
"Well my father and his generation were fighting to keep the mass ranks of Johnny Foreigner out of England"
But it's not okay when your so called 'mass ranks' in their own country trying to defend themselves, or uphold their culture against the mighty imperial power that you and your father so much muse about....
How the irony .....
Time to dust off your history book.
- Michael, London,UK
VN from Purley said
"The millions who died defending our great country from fascism will know that their sacrifice has not been in vain!"
Well my father and his generation were fighting to keep the mass ranks of Johnny Foreigner out of England and to ensure no central control from Europe, as did his ancestors against Napoleon. In fact they would have fought anyone; However the centuries of strife have been in vain because over the last thirty years England has been sold down the Swanee.
An old soldier said to me a couple of years ago "I look around this country and wonder whether it was worth carrying a gun for six years." He may have had a point!
- Mark, South-East London
"We encourage all anti-fascists in the London area to come to the demonstration and to apply for tickets to the Question Time audience."
So they demonstrating AGAINST the programme going ahead, but at the same time seeking to 'participate' by being in the studio audience? Clearly, their objective is to actively prevent its recording and transmission by any means possible.
Yet they call themselves 'Anti-Fascists'?
What is equally disturbing is that Conservative leader, David Cameron is a supporter of this organisation.
- David Moon, East Sussex, UK
Why is it always politicians who compose the panelists on Question time. All we get from them in answers are party political broadcasts. Lets have some ordinary peop;e on the panels from now on. asks TH of Leeds
Because they are the peoples elected representatives, unlike just the nonentities and celebrities from medialand, etc, lad! I know they are mostly a bunch of fiddling crooks but at least WE can get them out of their jobs unlike eg J Ross & co.
- Peter North, Sutton Surrey
I think this says volumes about UAF. They have never sprung to action when Muslims protesters in a number of recent demonstations have threatened Jihad, burnt the British flag, screamed abuse at all non-muslims and attacked the police.
The inference is they condone extremism from Muslims.
They would be far more credible is they condemed all forms of extremism but this clearly is not the case. Why?
- S. London, London
Can't quite understand why the fascist (i.e. anti-free speech) Unite Against Fascism want to demonstrate in protest: I thought people such as themselves were always saying how ignorant and ill-informed the views of the BNP were. Well, this is a good chance to expose them, isn't it?
- Croyboy, Croydon
NICE PICTURE OF MR GRIFFIN IM SURE YOU COULD NOT FIND A MORE FRIENDLY ONE.WAKE UP PEOPLE YOU MIGHT EVEN AGREE WITH HIM.
- Cockneyrebel, f
@ Captain Black Of The Mysterons, London, England
".. Phillips should have been the spokesman for black people on the programme .."
You are joking aren't you? This individual is barely holding onto his job.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
It would have been really good if Ian Hislop could be on this edition instead of the recent edition that he appeared on. This would at least help calm the temperature a bit as it is no doubt going to be well over heated.
- Vivek, London
I think it is a great shame that Bonnie Greer chooses to take part in a debate with Nick Griffin, a party which if it had its way, would subvert the rights of people like her.
- Alice Jones, London, England
Not knowing the BBC's selection process we don't know whether many or which Black Brits put themselves forward. However, I find Greer to be ideal. She is urbane, witty, intelligent, attractive, black and an immigrant - the complete antithesis to the cowardly Griffin. ( I still laugh at the sheer terror on his face at a few eggs. Contrast that with Prescott's reaction all those years ago.) She and the others on the panel will expose his many lies and the bankrupt nature of his fascist and quite frankly treasonous credo. The millions who died defending our great country from fascism will know that their sacrifice has not been in vain!
- Veritas Noire, Purley
I'll watch this... if he was put in a 'live debate' ... in a boxing ring with Mike Tyson
- Sanjay, Hounslow, UK
I think by failing to produce a black panel member from Britain the producers are playing into the BNP's hands. They could say it's because a worthy British opponent to Mr Griffin could not be found?
- M Farbiash, Highgate
Sinn Féin, who in the past, have condoned murder, have been allowed on BBC Question Time.
- Kp, London
I have see her previous performance on "Question Time" and know that she talks a lot of nonsense. Was it not possible to find a black person who can hold their own? Of course it is there are plenty out there. This will just let the BNP make their point.
- Mary, London
It is the vacuum that mainstream parties have allowed to evolve, by their abject failure to debate, in an adult way, issues of race and immigration, that has lead to the success of the BNP. If you leave a gap in politics, someone is bound to step into it and make capital out of it.
Well said Captain Black. Just all remember - a country gets the government it deserves, and look what we've got at the moment!
- Sue, Orpington, Kent
I think this is a good idea to provide the BNP with the forum to reveal what their ideologies, or lack of, is about. I would have preferred if there was a black British, as opposed to Bonnie Greer, being more of an American, as the significance of black British heritage, and dignity is always demeaned by the BNP. I should not think it would take much of an intellectual challenge to debunk a lot of the mindless nonsense the BNP peddles about.
- Michael, London,UK
This is going to be great ratings for the BBC
Well done.
- Martin, sheffield
Bunch-of-Nonentity-parasites.Masqurading as right-wingers.You need to see "BNP wives" on Sky3.These people are not only dumb to the bone marrow,they are paranoid,ignorant,uneducated lazy bunch.Blaming all their inadequacies on the goverment and hard working succesfful non-whites,communities.
You go girl..Bonnie,please lecture that myopic, bag mouth.
- Daniel Gates, Rochester
Could they really not have found a British black person to go on the show?
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx
Dear oh dear Rebecca - it is an extremely open debating programme that has ran for over 30 years (hence why Nick Griffin will be on it and hence this article). To criticise it without giving examples to back up your rant is somewhat over the top don't you think? Random members of the public are invited to ask the panellists questions that they themselves know nothing about beforehand and are expected to think on the spot. There is very little more that any political programme can do to be more open. This is great for politics - get the BNP on a platform face to face with their opposition and ask them the questions that ordinarily they would not be pressed to answer.
- Andrew, St. John's Wood, London
The BNP are not a normal political party and should not be treated as such.
- Nolan, Londonist
Rebecca - Your comments are spot on
This is going to be a circus, even bigger than the usual pointless waste of time debates the BBC aires
- Lb, London
I agree with most of what has been said.
It is the vacuum that mainstream parties have allowed to evolve, by their abject failure to debate, in an adult way, issues of race and immigration, that has lead to the success of the BNP. If you leave a gap in politics, someone is bound to step into it and make capital out of it.
Personally, I think Sir Trevor Phillips should have been the spokesman for black people on the programme, or David Lammy, and I imagine he may have been asked to appear. An american could be very easily dismissed as someone who does not fully understand this country and its people, even if she may have lived here a long time.
- Captain Black Of The Mysterons, London, England
Why is it always politicians who compose the panelists on Question time. All we get from them in answers are party political broadcasts. Lets have some ordinary peop;e on the panels from now on.
T H Leeds
- Thomas Hayes, Leeds UK
The programme will be utterly pointless. Anyone grown-up tuning in in the hope of hearing the opinions of this load of self-selected big mouths will be wasting their time. Dimbleby will fawn over those people whose uninterrupted opinions he agrees with and encourage slanging matches directed towards anyone whose constantly interrupted opinions he disagrees with. Its one of the BBC's usual attempts to manipulate public opinion.
- Rebecca C, Highbury, UK
Its a shame that we have to give people which such odious views as Nick Griffin airtime, however that's one of the prices of freedom of speech.
I have no doubt that Bonnie Greer and Jack Straw will reveal Nick Griffin as the peddler of hate that he is.
- James, London, Maida Vale
This is going to be great, Nick Griffin is used to speaking to the dumb and the scared in the back rooms of pubs, I'll be surprised if he lasts to the end of the show without storming off or sulking in the corner.
- Steve, Hackney, London
It is extremely important that mainstream politicians confront extremism in whatever form it takes, and are seen to do so.
No elected representative should be allowed to hide behind abhorrence as an excuse to avoid exercising this duty to the people, which is part of a democratic way of life.
Prejudice thrives through ignorance, so whilst the motives of the UAF and ANL are sound enough, their call for the banning of extremists simply prevents the wider public from seeing them for what they are and thus, compounds that ignorance
- John Bloomfield, Twickenham
Do we really need a self-important and loudly opinionated American (her performances on Newsnight Review on BBC2 are tiresome) to debate the way our society is going ? It may say something about Britain today, though, that no British black person is willing to step up.
- Js, London
Bonnie Greer is a good representative of the opposition to BNP.
Unite Against Fascism, as always, are using fascism to make their point. In a democracy, the BNP has a right to speak and we have a right to listen and make up our own minds. UAF obviously are more fascist than the BNP.
- Dep, London
This should be a laugh, I watched BNP Wives on Sky 3 Sunday night, wasn't a good advert for them lol
- P Staker, Londonistan.
Why deny him the chance to show the world what the real BNP's true colours are? (or lack of it)
I'm looking foward to this.
- Decency, London, UK
So the UAF are the real fascist, what happened to democracy in this country, the UAF are the enemy within!!!!!
- Steve, England
I've seen a couple of interviews with Mr Griffing since his election. His views really are odious and beyond the pale.
However, no matter how repugnant his views, providing he breaks no laws, the BNP leader has as much right to appear as any other duly elected politician. For once, I support the BBC.
The likes of Unite Against Facism (UAF) are actually promoting the aims that they seek to supress. There can be no justification for censorship by legal or other means; far better that Griffin et al be allowed to air their views and be exposed and challenged in the public domain for what they are.
- John C, Leatherhead, UK
