SHOULD THE BNP BE ALLOWED TO APPEAR ON TONIGHT'S 'QUESTION TIME'?

Rachel Kehoe - Said "The constitution of the BNP is abhorrent, but the only way to deal with it is to let them have the same platform of democracy and free speech that we are all entitled to as citizens of a free and democratic country. Let's hear what they have to say and form our own opinions. Censoring them serves no purpose, it just strengthens them and leads to misunderstanding about what they are all about. I am confident that the British public will come to the right conclusions when they hear their racist and bigoted hatred on TV tonight".

Radio City Station Director, Richard Maddock said "It was always going to be a very emotive issue but I do believe that they should be allowed on. The more an issue or belief is made taboo and hidden away, the more it can appeal to certain section of society, which can be very dangerous. Like it or not, they have a European seat now, so I personally want to know what they are "preaching" in our name. Being exposed on Question Time is not necessarily going to be advantageous for them".

Roger Jonas, Downtown Liverpool in Business said "Nick Griffin's politics are extreme and in this country the majority will always drive extremists back underground where they belong, by. He's a fad for the few.... Let him speak tonight, then lets wash our hands of him".

Mark O'Brien said "Whilst I am strongly against the views of the BNP we do live in a democracy and we should not restrict the freedom of speech. However such extreme and offensive views from any political party or individual should not be supported by media coverage. Responsible limits / guide lines should be set as to the appropriateness of any content / comments. In any event one would hope that the majority of the British public have enough common sence to see this man and his party for what they really are!"

Debi Jones said "I think he should be allowed to appear, if we start censoring tv we are no better than any other tin pot dictatorship. He has already proved what a totally nasty, homophobic, racist excuse of a human being he is with a lot of his comments, his appearance on Question Time only confirms it. The best thing you can do with this sort of person is to expose them to the light of public scrutiny - they can't possible win, as has been proved."

Steve Wundke - My own opinion is that Mr Griffin and everything that he represents is without doubt one of the most vile attirbutes of society. A part of society that I want nothing to do with - ever.

My problem is, that I have nothing but admiration of the many soldiers who gave their life up for our country in 2 world wars and out in Afghanistan now, to defend our nation and its right to free speech.

As far as I am aware the BBC is totally funded by the residents of this country, all of whom have different opinions, many of which I do not agree with - Mr Griffin is one of those people with whom I do not agree.

Sadly, if I have a right to my opinion - he has a right to his - which means he is - by virtue of numbers who now support him - allowed to be heard. I just hope this airing backfires and people see this racist bigot and his party for the reprehensible people they are.

Stephen Wundke
Any number of titles - the most important of which is Resident of the Human Race - where all people are created equal.