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Yorkshire elects BNP's first MEP Yorkshire elects BNP's first MEP
(about 1 hour later)
The BNP has won its first seat in the European Parliament after gaining 10% of the vote in Yorkshire and Humber.The BNP has won its first seat in the European Parliament after gaining 10% of the vote in Yorkshire and Humber.
The party came fifth in the regional poll, won by the Conservatives, but garnered enough votes to win a seat.The party came fifth in the regional poll, won by the Conservatives, but garnered enough votes to win a seat.
Health Secretary Andy Burnham said the BNP's success was a "sad moment" for British politics. Its leader Nick Griffin said the BNP was not racist but spoke for "ordinary people" neglected by other parties.
Earlier, protesters briefly stopped BNP leader Nick Griffin from entering the building in Manchester where results of European elections are being announced. Labour and the Tories expressed their dismay at the result, with Health Secretary Andy Burnham saying it was a "sad moment" for British politics.
'Misrepresentation''Misrepresentation'
The BNP won more than 120,139 votes in the Yorkshire region, slightly less than in 2004, but enough to take one of the six seats on offer in the region.The BNP won more than 120,139 votes in the Yorkshire region, slightly less than in 2004, but enough to take one of the six seats on offer in the region.
Successful candidate Andrew Brons, a retired university lecturer, acknowledged that his victory would not be "universally popular".Successful candidate Andrew Brons, a retired university lecturer, acknowledged that his victory would not be "universally popular".
Despite the lies, money and misrepresentation, we have managed to win through Andrew Brons, BNP Despite the headlines, money and misrepresentation, we have managed to win through Andrew Brons, BNP
He said the party, which is accused by its opponents of stirring racial hatred, something it denies, had survived an "onslaught" by the media and the political classes during the campaign.He said the party, which is accused by its opponents of stirring racial hatred, something it denies, had survived an "onslaught" by the media and the political classes during the campaign.
"Despite the lies, money and misrepresentation, we have managed to win through," he said. "Despite the headlines, money and misrepresentation, we have managed to win through," he said.
The election was the "first step" towards the UK removing itself from the "EU dictatorship", he added.The election was the "first step" towards the UK removing itself from the "EU dictatorship", he added.
Labour said the BNP's victory showed voters were worried about immigration issues and that these concerns did need to be addressed.
Mainstream parties must "understand" why people had voted for the BNP, Mr Burnham said, and must "painstakingly" work to win back support.
"It is not a good night for anybody who campaigns against racism in politics," he said.
The Conservatives said the BNP victory was a "terribly sad moment" and that mainstream parties need to "rethink" how they countered the BNP's arguments.
"All politicians should be asking themselves how did we allow this to happen," said the party's defence secretary Liam Fox.
The BNP also hopes to win a seat in the North West region, where its leader Nick Griffin is standing.The BNP also hopes to win a seat in the North West region, where its leader Nick Griffin is standing.
But as he arrived at the count on Sunday, his car was surrounded by noisy protesters and it drove off without him getting out.But as he arrived at the count on Sunday, his car was surrounded by noisy protesters and it drove off without him getting out.
ProtestsProtests
Mr Griffin later entered the building through the back entrance.Mr Griffin later entered the building through the back entrance.
The BNP leader was accompanied by a number of minders.The BNP leader was accompanied by a number of minders.
Andy Burnham says the win will "redouble our determination to take them out"
There is a substantial police presence outside Manchester Town Hall, where the votes for the region are being counted.There is a substantial police presence outside Manchester Town Hall, where the votes for the region are being counted.
Police said one man was arrested in scuffles when Mr Griffin tried to get into the building through the front entrance and his car was surrounded by a small crowd of noisy protesters.Police said one man was arrested in scuffles when Mr Griffin tried to get into the building through the front entrance and his car was surrounded by a small crowd of noisy protesters.
"Mr Griffin has been driven away to avoid the protests that they have set up at both entrances," a council spokesman said."Mr Griffin has been driven away to avoid the protests that they have set up at both entrances," a council spokesman said.
"Mr Griffin, as one of the MEP candidates, will have to gain access to the town hall at some point for the count," it added."Mr Griffin, as one of the MEP candidates, will have to gain access to the town hall at some point for the count," it added.
The BNP has targeted the North West during the campaign.The BNP has targeted the North West during the campaign.
It won one of its three English county council seats in Burnley in Thursday's elections.It won one of its three English county council seats in Burnley in Thursday's elections.
The BNP is hoping to improve on its European performance in 2004 when it won just under 5% of the vote.The BNP is hoping to improve on its European performance in 2004 when it won just under 5% of the vote.