'Threat to kill' investigation as BNP sacks publicity chief

Party bosses also accused Mark Collett, 29, who appeared in a documentary called Young, Nazi and Proud while a student in Leeds, of trying to launch a "palace coup" against Mr Griffin.

Mr Collett was responsible for producing the far right group's publicity material and edited its newspaper.

A leaked copy of the BNP organisers bulletin stated the party had run "an extensive and long-running" investigation into financial irregularities.

It stated: "We are able to say that Mark Collett was conspiring with a small clique of other party officials to launch a 'palace coup' against our twice democratically elected party leader, Nick Griffin, and that in order to create the artificial climate of disillusionment necessary for this to stand any chance of success, lies and unfounded rumours have been spread, and were planned to be spread much further.

"Mr Collett has therefore been relieved of all positions within the party with immediate effect."

The email also stated Mr Griffin had made a statement to the police after "serious allegations" affecting his "personal safety" came to light.

A Humberside Police spokeswoman said: "A 29-year-old man was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of making threats to kill. He was interviewed by Humberside Police detectives and has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

"This investigation was initiated as a result of a complaint by a member of the British National Party and inquiries are ongoing."

A spokesman for anti-fascist organisation Searchlight said: "Nick Griffin is constantly claiming he is the leader of a moderate, non-violent organisation. It is difficult to see how he can square that assertion with his statement to the police that his own head of publicity has been plotting to kill him."

High-ranking figures in the party have been summoned to a meeting today to discuss the events.