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BNP secures two European seats BNP secures two European seats
(about 1 hour later)
BNP leader Nick Griffin has been elected to the European Parliament as the party won its first two seats.BNP leader Nick Griffin has been elected to the European Parliament as the party won its first two seats.
Mr Griffin was elected for the North West region while Andrew Brons picked up another BNP seat in Yorkshire and Humber, where it won 10% of the vote.Mr Griffin was elected for the North West region while Andrew Brons picked up another BNP seat in Yorkshire and Humber, where it won 10% of the vote.
Mr Griffin said the BNP was not racist but spoke for "ordinary people" neglected by other parties.Mr Griffin said the BNP was not racist but spoke for "ordinary people" neglected by other parties.
Labour and the Tories expressed their dismay at the result, saying it was a "sad moment" for British politics.Labour and the Tories expressed their dismay at the result, saying it was a "sad moment" for British politics.
'Great victory''Great victory'
Mr Griffin was elected to Brussels even though the BNP polled fewer votes in the region than it had in 2004.Mr Griffin was elected to Brussels even though the BNP polled fewer votes in the region than it had in 2004.
BNP leader Nick Griffin says his party has claimed a "great victory"
The BNP came fifth in the popular vote in the region but won a seat through the system of proportional representation used in the European elections.The BNP came fifth in the popular vote in the region but won a seat through the system of proportional representation used in the European elections.
"It is a great victory," Mr Griffin said, adding that his party stood up for "indigenous people" who were victims of racial discrimination."It is a great victory," Mr Griffin said, adding that his party stood up for "indigenous people" who were victims of racial discrimination.
"We go on from here.""We go on from here."
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said the BNP's success was down to the failure of other parties, not because it had appealed to many more people.BBC political editor Nick Robinson said the BNP's success was down to the failure of other parties, not because it had appealed to many more people.
He added that the BNP had appeared to take votes off Labour, whose total vote fell by more than 200,000.He added that the BNP had appeared to take votes off Labour, whose total vote fell by more than 200,000.
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 headlines, money and misrepresentation, we have managed to win through Andrew Brons, BNPDespite 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 headlines, 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.
Car attackedCar attacked
Labour said the victories were a "sad moment" for British politics.Labour said the victories were a "sad moment" for British politics.
"It is not a good night for anybody who campaigns against racism in politics," said Health Secretary Andy Burnham."It is not a good night for anybody who campaigns against racism in politics," said Health Secretary Andy Burnham.
Mainstream parties must "understand" why people had voted for the BNP, Mr Burnham said, and must "painstakingly" work to win back support.Mainstream parties must "understand" why people had voted for the BNP, Mr Burnham said, and must "painstakingly" work to win back support.
The results showed voters were worried about immigration issues and that these concerns did need to be addressed, he added.The results showed voters were worried about immigration issues and that these concerns did need to be addressed, he added.
The Conservatives said the BNP victories were a "terribly sad moment" and that mainstream parties needed to "rethink" how they countered the BNP's arguments.The Conservatives said the BNP victories were a "terribly sad moment" and that mainstream parties needed 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."All politicians should be asking themselves 'how did we allow this to happen?'," said the party's defence secretary Liam Fox.
Andy Burnham says the win will "redouble our determination to take them out"Andy Burnham says the win will "redouble our determination to take them out"
The BNP targeted the North West during the campaign, having had earlier success in local council elections.The BNP targeted the North West during the campaign, having had earlier success in local council elections.
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.
As Mr Griffin arrived at the North West count - held in Manchester's town hall - on Sunday, his car was surrounded by noisy protesters, who broke one of its windows.As Mr Griffin arrived at the North West count - held in Manchester's town hall - on Sunday, his car was surrounded by noisy protesters, who broke one of its windows.
Mr Griffin was forced to return later and enter the building by the back entrance, accompanied by several minders.Mr Griffin was forced to return later and enter the building by the back entrance, accompanied by several minders.
Police said one man was arrested in scuffles when Mr Griffin tried to get into the building.Police said one man was arrested in scuffles when Mr Griffin tried to get into the building.