BNP attacks fellow 'Question Time' panellists

As the far-right party prepares for its first programme appearance, it accuses the BBC of 'stirring up trouble' with its choice of guests

The British National Party, whose leader, Nick Griffin, makes his first appearance on BBC1's Question Time this week, has launched an attack on Bonnie Greer, the playwright and fellow panellist who is expected to tackle Mr Griffin about his views on race on the show.

In a clear attempt to get its retaliation in first, the far-right party has posed the question on its website: "What does the BNP have to do to be invited on to the BBC's Question Time?... Win one million votes and two seats in the European Parliament." It adds: "What does Bonnie Greer have to do to get on to Question Time? Fabricate black history and be paid for it." The party attacks documentaries Ms Greer has made as being "Afrocentrist" and describes her inclusion on the show as "an obvious attempt to stir up trouble". The site also dismisses the Conservative peer Baroness Warsi, another panellist on Thursday's show, as a "product of Tory affirmative action".

While Ms Greer and Baroness Warsi declined to comment, the BNP's attack on them has been condemned by anti-racist campaigners. "I can't help notice that all the people the BNP are complaining about are black. It launches vitriolic attacks on Bonnie Greer and Sayeeda Warsi, but remains silent about the other white Question Time guests," said Weyman Bennett of Unite Against Fascism. "The attack shows a disturbing preoccupation with skin colour. It's high time the BBC stopped treating this racist and fascist organisation as if it was an acceptable democratic party."

Simon Darby, the BNP's deputy chairman, was unrepentant last night: "If Bonnie Greer wants to enter the political arena, she's got to realise if you want to play with the big boys then sometimes you're going to get hurt. People need to understand that she has a political angle, an ethno-centric axe to grind."