BRITAIN's equalities watchdog is threatening legal action against the BNP unless it starts accepting non-white members.

The Manchester-based Equality and Human Rights Commission has written to Nick Griffin, leader of the far-right party, who won a seat at the European Election in the north west earlier this month.

The EHRC is demanding that Mr Griffin gives a 'written undertaking' to change his party's constitution, which lists a number of supposed 'ethnic groups' to which members must belong.

All the groups listed are white.

The letter, by group legal director, John Wadham, says: "The exclusion from membership of individuals whose ethnic origin is not listed constitutes unlawful discrimination on racial grounds."

It adds: "On the basis of the current constitution and membership criteria, the commission thinks that the BNP may have committed and may be likely to commit future unlawful acts."

Mr Wadham is demanding the BNP agrees to make the changes by 4pm on July 20. If not, he says, the EHRC may seek a legal injunction against the party.

That could lead to a civil court hearing - which could in turn result in the BNP being legally required to change their rules. Any refusal to do so could constitute contempt of court, which can lead to a jail sentence.

In addition to the membership issue, the EHRC has raised two further points of concern.

The letter claims that the BNP's 'elected representatives' - including Mr Griffin - 'may not offer or provide services on an equal basis to their constituents and/or members of the public irrespective of race or colour'.

It quotes a speech by Mr Griffin in which he said he expected 'ethnic minorities' to 'continue to go to the Labour party'.

The other concern surrounds the BNP's recruitment and employment policies - and the fact all job applicants have to submit a BNP membership number.

"Given the restrictions on membership, in the BNP's capacity as an employer, the limitation on job opportunities to members of the BNP will constitute discriminatory arrangements for determining who should be offered employment contrary to section 4 of the Race Relation Act," the letter says.

Mr Wadham said: "The commission's statutory role includes a duty investigate possible breaches of discrimination law and take action where appropriate.

"The legal advice we have received indicates that the BNP's constitution and membership criteria, employment practices and provision of services to constituents and the public may breach discrimination laws which all political parties are legally obliged to uphold.

"We await a response from the BNP to our letter before deciding what further action we may take. "Litigation or enforcement action can be avoided by the BNP giving a satisfactory response to our letter."

It comes after a number of complaints about the BNP, both before and after their narrow election victory.
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