The British National Party (BNP) is to fight elections in Northern Ireland for thefirst time, it was revealed today.
The far-right group is to field a candidate at the next European elections.A spokesman in Belfast said the party will urge voters to back its vision ofkeeping out asylum seekers and saving manufacturing jobs.
The SDLP's Mr Alban Maginness claimed the brand of racism, sectarianism andultra-nationalism offered by the BNP was not welcome.
The North Belfast MLA said: "Northern Ireland already has enough politicalmadmen and cranks so there really is no need for this political export fromBritain".
The move was ratified during a BNP meeting in the greater Belfast area lastmonth attended by party leader MrNick Griffin.
Limited funds forced the BNP to abandon plans to contest Stormont Assemblyelections that were set for next May before devolution was suspended.
Northern Ireland's three seats in the European Parliament are held byDemocratic Unionist leader Mr Ian Paisley, former SDLP chief Mr John Hume and Mr JimNicholson of the Ulster Unionists.
The BNP is not expect the to mount a serious challenge to any of the three sitting MEPs. Efforts to recruit more members over the past 12 months have so far failed,although it was claimed party strength has increased.
PA