Scuffle as BNP 'puts migrants at top of agenda'

One anti-fascist protester broke through a police cordon and tried to punch a BNP member before being tackled to the ground and taken away by police officers.

The BNP was presenting its candidates outside the headquarters of the UK Border Agency, in south London.

Anti-fascist protesters were waiting for the BNP outside Lunar House where the event was taking place.

BNP London organiser Robert Bailey, who is standing as a parliamentary candidate in Romford, Essex, had earlier told a group of about 40 BNP candidates that they were there to put immigration on the election agenda.

He said: "Up until this moment, nobody has mentioned immigration. The reason why the British National Party is here today is to draw the public's attention and the world's attention to the immigration crisis that is facing ordinary British citizens."

Mr Bailey, who is also a local councillor in Barking and Dagenham, said immigration was the second-biggest issue after the war in Afghanistan for politicians and the Government to face up to.

"We are here today to break the silence," he said.

The BNP plans to field about 350 parliamentary candidates for the forthcoming General Election on May 6.

After the scuffle, Mr Bailey said that the BNP had the right to protest and anti-fascist campaigners had a right to counter-protest.

He said: "Unfortunately some of them have decided to cause a scene."

Party leader Nick Griffin was not present at yesterday's gathering.

Asked where Mr Griffin was, Mr Bailey replied: "You will have to ask him."

The BNP candidates held aloft banners reading "Britain is full up" and "Asylum seekers: Don't unpack, you're going back".

Andrew Pelling, the former independent MP for Croydon South who is standing for re-election, joined the anti-fascist protest organised by Croydon Trades Council, the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union and Unite Against Fascism.

Mr Pelling said he had written to Home Secretary Alan Johnson to complain that the BNP had been allowed to gather outside a building used to process asylum and immigration claims.

"It's important that they should be allowed to demonstrate but I think discretion should have been employed and the protest taken place elsewhere."