BNP to get Commons passes
Updated on 09 June 2009
Newly elected BNP Euro MPs Andrew Brons and Nick Griffin will both get high-security passes to the Houses of Parliament, it has been revealed. Lewis Hannam reports.
As a perk of being MEPs, the duo will get the Westminster passes, which are sure to create further embarrassment to British MPs who have condemned the right-wing party’s success in the recent European elections.
Last week Brown warned that the BNP practised policies of “persecution, discrimination, racism, and anti-Semitism”, but the prime minister now faces the prospect of bumping into Griffin or Brons in the corridors of power.
Chris Davies, MEP for the North West of England, told Channel 4 News: “They’ll both get a full Commons pass – all MEPs get them. It has a few restrictions but it is effectively a full pass.
“It’s a disappointing by-product but it’s no more disappointing than the fact they are going to be in the European Parliament in the first place.
“In fact, I’d rather they spent some time walking around Westminster as it means they’ll spend less time near me.
“Some MEPs only use them two or three times a year, but others use them every week. It’s horses for courses, so it would depend how much they want to use them.”
The extra perk of a Commons pass, which will also allow access to Portcullis House, comes on top of the £80,000-a-year salaries both BNP members will enjoy, combined with hundreds of thousands of pounds available in extra staffing, travel and subsistence allowances.
Another embarrassment for the establishment could be on the agenda too; over invites for the BNP to Buckingham palace.
Last month Nick Griffin pulled out of the Royal garden party following a public outcry over his invitation, but there’s a chance the row will be revisited in the future.
Mr Davies told Channel 4 News: “MEPs routinely get an invitation to the Buckingham palace garden party, I’ve had quite a few invitations to it. So unless they change the qualifications it will be the same for the BNP.”
