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BBC ready to film BNP debate at secret site
Amar Singh and Paul Waugh21 Oct 2009
BBC chiefs have drafted emergency plans to shift the venue for Question Time if protests against BNP leader Nick Griffin turn violent.
The Standard has learned that the Corporation has a contingency scheme to move the event from TV Centre in Shepherd's Bush to a secret location.
Anti-racist and anti-fascist groups are threatening demonstrations at the Wood Lane building, where tomorrow's Question Time is due to be recorded.
There are several entrances to TV Centre but planners fear that the “nightmare” scenario is a level of disorder that makes it impossible to go ahead with the programme.
If the safety of any of the guests or the audience is at risk, the entire programme will be moved to another location, one insider said. A decision would have to be made well before the programme's scheduled recording at about 7pm.
Police have told the BBC that they will take charge of security in public areas outside TV Centre but responsibility will pass to the Corporation once all those involved are on-site.
The desperate attempts to ensure the smooth running of the programme came as an academic warned that the BNP could see a huge boost in public support after Mr Griffin's appearance.
Dr Jim Shields, associate professor in French Studies at the University of Warwick, pointed out that the popularity of far-Right French politician Jean-Marie Le Pen soared virtually overnight after he appeared on the French equivalent of Question Time in 1984. He said: “The programme attracted a lot of opposition and large viewing figures.
In his autobiography, Le Pen would point to that TV programme as the start of his political rise, calling it the hour that changed everything'.”
The BBC has given Question Time presenter David Dimbleby free rein to quiz Mr Griffin on contentious issues, building on the audience's questions.
Reader views (36)
I think that Nick Griffin should not be allowed on Question Time to advocate racism in public which is illegal.
- Tony Donaghey, Borehamwood, England., 21/10/2009 22:10
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UAF the real fascist if you do not agree with them your a racist that is a fascist, you watch the great unwashed, jobless, scumbags, perform tomorrow, they are the real fascist wake up Briton before its to late.
- Steve, England, 21/10/2009 21:15
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It's great the BBC are giving Nick Griffin enough rope....
Mr Griffin has made a fatal error in attacking our Generals who in my view are rather more trusted than our politicians.
- Stephen C, London, 21/10/2009 16:57
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every bit of publicity this disgusting bnp is given is like oxygen to them. ignore them and dont watch the programme. they are racists they can jazz up their image as much as they like but remember the old saying
'you can put glitter on a turd but its still a turd'.
- Mary, uxbridge, england, 21/10/2009 16:55
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My Grandparents and Parents fought Wars for free speech.I as a voter and licence fee payer Have the right to listen to this debate.I Know in my own mind and heart that I would NEVER vote or agree with the politic's Of the BNP but I need to know what they as a political party have to say.I also need to hear the response to their views from other politicians face to face.
- Mick, London, 21/10/2009 16:52
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Dave in Blackburn. It's not Grffin showing himself to be an honest politician (an oxymoron if there ever was one) that most here are scared of but giving freedom speech to an intollerant fascist who would deny the same rights to certains groups within our society. (Also he is a proven thug).
- Coys Switz, switzerland, 21/10/2009 16:30
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Almost one million voters (who by the way pay the licence fee)are entitled to have thier representative aire thier views on question time. Why is everyone so frightened of a democratically elected MEP having the policies of his party heard. I suspect that most people who are agianst his appearance on the show are scared of the fact that he will show himself to be an honest politician who cares for his country and it's future. If he is not allowed on question time, couple of million less Licence fees = is a lot of revene to lose and a lot of prison cells to fill.
- Dave, Blackburn , England, 21/10/2009 16:08
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The three main party's are going to such extreme lengths to stop me seeing this programme,that I can't wait to see what it is they are all afraid of.
- Davey_Bouy, Chertsey UK, 21/10/2009 15:40
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Let him talk,every word he says,is dropping himself into the mire,to gag him,makes some think he has something worth hearing,that "they" don't want you hear
- Bob Hawkins, Beckenham, 21/10/2009 14:49
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I think that the Respect party has got the most utterly useless manifesto. I would never vote for them. If auntie want to have them on the show so they can be torn up in a public forum then why not?
Subduing another persons point of view simply because you don't like it is censorship no matter how you spin it. We are in a democracy and the BNP have a right to make themselves look foolish and bigoted. They also have a right to be challenged alongside mainstream politicians. Let them do it.
- Tom, London, 21/10/2009 14:44
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I'm not sure this individual will need much grilling. Judging him by his crass comments on our military leaders last night he'll merrily hang himself.
BTW remind me, exactly how much of the vote did his party take? He seems to generate more publicity than a gang of Labour spin-doctors.
- Paul, Kent, 21/10/2009 13:39
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France and Italy currently encourage asylum seekers and foreign immigrants to return back their countries and give them money to do it. If would be good if question time asked Nick Griffin on BNP policies and not the same old leftist bias questions we all know the answer to.
- Democracy Please, Northolt, London, 21/10/2009 13:28
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The best way to deal with this whole issue would be to ask Nick Griffin what the BNP policy is on Integrated Transport, local government funding, PPP and other subjects they basically don't have policy for, this will show them up as a one note hate campaign (which plays well on sink estates) other than a well rounded political party.
Asking obvious questions will allow them to purvey well formulated answers, Griffin is not the short tempered idiot that the media likes to make him out to be. So playing on his strong suite will play right into his game. The problem here is the people who are shouting the loudest are not the most the most intelligent.
- Hansel, London, 21/10/2009 13:27
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Neil645, Gloucestershire, England -
I applaud you sir - you have made a wonderful point and I share your sentiments.
I acknowledge the fact that immigration is out of hand and this country is 'overcrowded'. I also acknowledge the fact that under the current government this is unlikely to change - it will get worse.
But I don't think the BNP can see beyond the colour of a man's skin. I am British and proud of it. However, I feel worried for the majority of coloured folk who work hard, pay taxes and love this country everytime the BNP raise their ugly head.
I would certainly emigrate (and it wouldn't be to India!) if these people got into government (god forbid!)...
- Sanjay, Hounslow, UK, 21/10/2009 13:22
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Dimbleby is a softy ompared to Paxo. Put Paxo on and you might get some of these people answering the question not dodging questions.
- Dhan Raj, Basildon, 21/10/2009 13:10
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It's possible to hold very strong views on immigration and population without being racist, and it's been folly for the main parties to push people with those views and fears towards a racist party while striking sanctimonious poses.
The key point to bear in mind about Griffin and his group is that they believe that government (ideally their government) should have the power to decide who you can marry: there's no other way of affecting the 'racial' composition of a population. They also believe that they have the right to define you in ways you may not agree with (eg, by calling Jack Straw, an Anglican, Jewish, as above).
Some of the most distinguished refugees from Nazi Germany had not thought of themselves as Jewish at all until the Nazis said they were: perhaps Mr Griffin would adopt the Marxist view that they were suffering from 'false consciousness'.
As for the debate, if he wants to score goals, Mr Dimbleby should take off the referee's shirt.
- Mdj E10, london uk, 21/10/2009 13:08
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IMO any pundit who rises to the BNP bait are wasting their time. It would be better to question Nick Griffin on what he and his party can do for Britain (if there is any) rather than what they want out of it.
- Victoria, London, 21/10/2009 12:59
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Creating a 'human wall' to prevent Griffin appearing on QT is not democracy in my eyes. Whilst I, of course, do not support the BNP and their views, they are unfortunately entitled to inform the public of their policies as much as the Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem parties are.
- Bill, London, UK, 21/10/2009 12:55
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Veritas Noire, the last time I looked Peter Hain and Alan Johnson were still both members of the Labour Party. So, whilst there may be a split in their ranks on this issue, some of them do wish to suppress Griffin/BNP. As Jack Straw is Jewish, perhaps that motivated him to be on the programme, rather than his membership of the Labour Party.
It is a trait of the fascists of history to suppress their oppponents, so, perhaps, both Johnson and Hain in that respect are closer to the BNP than they realise.
Those who wish to protest have a right to do so but only peaceably, which is not what I understand some of them want to do. Blocking someone's access to a television studio is not peaceful protest, as it might lead to a breach of the peace. That said, let's get real here. The UAF and their like want to shout him down at every opportunity, which is hardly freedom of speech as I understand it. We either have freedom of speech where everyone is allowed to be heard whatever their views or we don't and have censorship, which would depend on the arbitrary decisions of the party in power of the day.
Griffin will appear because it is publicity [all publicity is good etc]for the BNP. If he is denied the opportunity to speak it is yet more publicity i.e the rabble shouted him down or prevented him from appearing. There is only one way in a free society to respond and that is to shoot down in flames all of those abhorrent views he holds dear and in public before the electorate.
- Maria Casabianca, London, England, 21/10/2009 12:39
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The only thing going on here is the BBC are trying to boost flagging viewing figures by whatever means to ensure it can keep digging into our pockets to fund their prolific spending.
Question time lost its validity years ago when it became apparent the audience is seeded by vested interest.
Anyone watching the program tomorrow night will be playing into the hands of not only the BNP, but also the BBC.
- Ian, Reading, England, 21/10/2009 12:37
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David Dimbleby has become such an ill-mannered waspish chairman that everyone he snaps at and interrupts automatically gets my sympathy. David Dimbleby is just a boorish oik and I don't care who or what he disapproves of.
- Karen, Shepherds Bush, UK, 21/10/2009 12:23
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The amount of hypocrisy, ignorance and faulty logic shown in recent posts is amazing! The BBC invited the BNP on but are now being criticized for simply wanting to question their repugnant views. Are BNP and their supporters afraid that their vile philosophy will be exposed for what it really is? Why lambast the UAF, Hain and Johnson. They are merely expressing their opinion about the odious, cowardly Griffin. They are exercising their freedom of speech and exercising their democratic right to protest. None have the power to ban the appearance on QT. What's the problem? Or do only white fascist have these rights? Oh, and last time I looked Jack Straw was a govt. minister so how is that an example of Labour stiffling free speech? Yet it is Griffin who would deny rights to law abiding British citizens if they are from an ethnic minority or mixed raced. I guess its no wonder the racists pick up votes with so many idiots out there!
- Veritas Noire, Purley, 21/10/2009 11:59
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"The amount of (free) publicity he has had put his way in recent weeks (courtesy of the BBC) "
To be fair to the BBC, it's not really them who are responsible for the avalanche of free publicity - it's articles like this in the rest of the media!
- Michael, London, 21/10/2009 11:48
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I can't wait to see the viewing figures next week... X Factor...Strictly...or Question Time. Only one guess needed!
- Mj, East Anglia, 21/10/2009 11:46
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I thought it was called "Question Time" not the "David Dimbleby Show".
- Peter, Ipswich UK, 21/10/2009 11:42
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Of course it would be much more interesting if Paxman was to chair this session, but the Dimbleby Labrador approach may prove better that the Paxman rottweiler.
Whilst the headline suggests that grilling is a good approach many may want to see him roasted over an open fire and then served some fava beans and a nice Chianti.
Regardless of what is said this will be one of the most interesting programmes of the week, providing a restless audience do not spoil it with constant heckling.
- Jan, London UK, 21/10/2009 11:41
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The BNP like to appear as "moderate", but in fact they grossly exaggerate differences and distort facts, both to incite bigots and to create insecurity and uncertainty among people who are looking for someone to "blame" for what they perceive to be injustices. They offer no constructive solutions to better race relations in Britain.
The BNP does not acknowledge the massive contribution people of all races, from the Caribbean, Africa, India, the Pacific and the Antipodes, have made to British military history. I served in the Armed Forces for 13 years and some of my comrades were men whose families originated from the Caribbean. They were just as British as me, just as dependable and hard-working as people of white European origin and I was proud to have served with them. I have met them again at reunions, and would prefer to associate with them than Griffin and his clique of small-minded bigots, who are trying to hand their bigotry behind a wafer-thin veneer of respectability.
- Neil645, Gloucestershire, England., 21/10/2009 11:39
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Nick Griffin no longer needs to go on Question Time now. The amount of (free) publicity he has had put his way in recent weeks (courtesy of the BBC) would make any mainstream politican green with envy. I am sorry to say that I will watch - not beecause I am a regular QT viewer (which I am) - but because this is pure sensationalist 'car crash' TV. Will Griffin end up being able to play the victimised oppressed card? My money is on it!
- Coys Switz, switzerland, 21/10/2009 11:25
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So they are going to put up a human wall to try and stop this guy getting into the building.
I am no supporter of the BNP but what has this got do with democracy, we will allow you free speech providing you agree with our point of view, or we will call you Homophobic, Racist, Europhiles, Sexist, Ageist, fascist etc.
Is this not what the Nazi's did??
If you had a referendum today on Capital punishment or the Europeon Treaty what do you think the result would be, or is this just a bit to democratic for all of us to handle.
- Steve M, London, 21/10/2009 11:24
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We are being treated like idiots by the politicians, the BBC and everyone else who wishes to clamber onto the band wagon. Let everyone watch, listen and hear for themselves what the BNP is all about and make their own minds up. If the panelists, Dimbleby, the protesters who will try to stop Griffin from getting in and those opposed to the BNP in the audience shout him down then I am afraid it will all back fire on them in a big way. If Griffin`s appearance had not been hyped up in such an hysterical way the whole event would have passed off as a damp squib. Pity the electorate hasn`t been afforded the same chance to take Brown to task over his policies including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the recession. At least Griffin is willing to face a grilling, Brown would run a mile.
- Brian G, Norfolk Gorleston, 21/10/2009 11:15
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There are considerable immigrant & religous issues that require open debate whilst the barmy PC lobby and the one-sided race relations legislation make this very difficult.
The problem is that the BNP are tackling these issues but they are being associated with their fascist & supremist beliefs.
It is high time the indigenous people, who feel their customs and standards are being eroded & diminished had their say without being made to feel guilty.
Perhaps Question Time is an opportunity to open the debate.
- Mark Myword, London, 21/10/2009 10:56
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Why is this even news? If the BNP, abhorrent as it is, wishes to participate is British public life it should be subjected to the same scrutiny as everyone else. Only then will its members be conclusively exposed as the hideously bigotted, hateful and repulsive cohort of cavemen that they truly are.
- James, London, 21/10/2009 10:44
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Let the man speak - let the public decide.
- Alan, Essex, 21/10/2009 10:35
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Frank - if the BNP appears, it will be more like Hitler's Germany. Surely you don't want that, even living in the "Home Counties"...!?
- Nick, Battersea, 21/10/2009 10:35
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".. the BBC is anxious to be seen to use the occasion to subject Mr Griffin's views to the closest scrutiny."
As opposed to closely scrutinising politicians who are actually robbing us blind of democracy and public finances.
Nothing like pandering to the Lefty powers that be. What happened to the independence of the media? Oh yes, Soviet Britain.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 21/10/2009 09:52
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Why are the establishment so insecure at the prospect of the BNP putting their point of view? Do they really think the public is not adult enough to decide what they want?
- Frederick, London, 21/10/2009 09:46
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