BNP leader has pint poured over him
The leader of the far-right British National Party had a pint of beer thrown over him at a Painswick pub on Saturday night.
Nick Griffin was dining with BNP colleagues in The Falcon Inn in Painswick when the incident happened.
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Nick Griffin
An 18-year-old was ejected from the pub for arguing with the group, and waited outside for them to leave.
When the party walked out of the pub, at around 11.30pm, the teenager threw a drink over Mr Griffin.
The youth then claimed to have been assaulted by the men with the BNP leader.
A statement issued by Gloucestershire police yesterday confirmed the incident.
It said: "On Sunday, July 12, Gloucestershire Constabulary received a phone call from an 18-year-old man stating that he had been assaulted the previous night, July 11, outside The Falcon Public House on New Street, Painswick.
"The man stated that he had been asked to leave the pub after he was involved in an argument with a group of diners.
"He left the premises but remained outside and a while later, at approximately 11.30pm, the group of diners left and he threw drink at them.
"Following this the group restrained him and it was during this time that the man states he was assaulted and bruising caused to his face.
"He did not wish to make a formal complaint about the incident."
Simon Darby, a spokesman for the BNP, said: "Somebody threw a pint of beer over Nick, I was not there, but that is what I have been told.
"We would like to find out who it was though.
"It appears it was an opponent of ours who thinks he can go around throwing drinks over people.
"I can't believe he claimed he was assaulted, if you go into a pub and throw a pint over someone then you are asking for trouble.
"In this day and age, you never know what was in that glass - it could have been battery acid.
"It was thrown over Nick Griffin, who only has one eye anyway."
Staff at the pub declined to comment on the incident.
64 Comments
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by KellyB, W Midlands
Saturday, August 01 2009, 1:07PM
“How pleased I was to hear about someone standing up against the BNP. And how unsurprised I was to hear about the thuggish reaction to what would have been an embarrassing moment - how awful.The BNP cannot be mentioned in the same sentence as democracy, fairness or ethics. Their day wil come and their supporters will come to realise the truth. They will create hatred and division and have already shown themselves to be thugs and are lazy in the councils where they have been elected to represent their communities. The best use of a pint of Guinness!”
by Titus, West Mercia
Tuesday, July 28 2009, 10:47AM
“It was wrong for the lad to assault Griffin like this, but of course when the same thing happenned to Madelson recently the attacker was not beaten up by henchment - stragne that Griffin needs them - perhaps because he is a preacher of hate - I note that in commenting Simon Darby of the BNP said they 'would like to find' the attacker and that 'you are asking for trouble' if you behave in this way - this is hardly respectable political discourse and really shows the BNP in their true light - thugs in suits.”
by paul kelly, london
Friday, July 24 2009, 1:50AM
“Classic example ! BNP activist Peter Tierney was attacked in liverpool on st georges day by a UAF thug. Peter defended himself and got charged by the police ! he is up in court in liverpool. its on the main site, take a look. BNP HAS A RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH ! So get lost DAVID CAMERON and KEITH VAZ ! SPEND MY TAXES ON DECENT HELICOPTERS FOR THE POOR LADS YOU PUT IN AFGHANISTAN FOR YOUR ILLEGAL WAR. CHECK OUT NICK GRIFFINS two minute opening speech at the EU on you tube. HE LETS CAMERON HAVE IT BIG TIME ! ha ha. dont forget the red white and blue festival this year everyone.”
by paul kelly, london
Friday, July 24 2009, 1:42AM
“Amazing isn't it ! Millions of people support the BNP now including myself. FREE SPEECH !!! That Idiot Lefty was hanging around causing trouble, He should have been arrested ! Leftys are the Facists. they break up BNP meetings and everything else. UAF SCUM BACKED BY DAVID CAMERON AND KEITH VAZ .”
by Caroline, West Midlands
Thursday, July 23 2009, 2:04PM
“I am VERY impressed with Mr Griffin's level of control after this assault. After all, he was a Cambridge University boxing blue. Remember what John Prescott did when he got annoyed with a photographer?”
by Tasty Fish, Abbeymead, Gloucestershire
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 12:29PM
“All the pro-BNP supporters make me chuckle. Whenever anything is apparently wrong in society they like to blame foreigners/asylum seekers/immigrants or anyone else the Daily Mail chooses to selectively report on.
They never look at their own issues, always wanting to blame someone else for their own personal failings.
If you are clever, intelligent, or successful you are not the type of person who wants to blame anyone for anything.
I can only conclude that BNP supporters represent the most failed members of our society, or at least those who have some kind of chip on their shoulder. You only have to look where the BNP hardcore support lies: the most deprived areas of the country. What does that tell you?!
Finally, anyone who believes the BNP are a legitimate political party needs to lift the covers on their apparent policies. What sort of political party are they if they do not allow members of ethnic minorities (including those born in Britain and contributing hugely to the GDP)?
Losers. No, they really are.”
by Jan Coleman, Stroud
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 2:24AM
“Personally I think the 18 year yob should have gotten beaten up badly and taught a lesson .If he throws beer around and physically threatens anyone he deserves a good beating.”
by Truth Teller, stroud
Monday, July 20 2009, 8:43PM
“I know the person who threw the pint of Nick Griffin. I have known him well for a number of years and the spin that has been put on this story is incredible. If the journalist or editor would like to be put in touch with him, you have my email address..... The BNP are untrustworthy, why would the press believe any story from them???”
by A. W., Stroud
Sunday, July 19 2009, 9:25PM
“Personally I despise the BNP but I do not believe that fighting intolerance with intolerance is ever going to sort anything out.”
by d, glos
Friday, July 17 2009, 9:05AM
“Does anyone know whether the thug that assaulted MEP Mr Griffin is being prosecuted?”