Complaint
Nick Griffin is to complain about the way the format of Question Time was altered and a hostile audience assembled to subject him to an onslaught of anger, criticism and derision. The difficulty is that the doctrine of the BNP is pretty repugnant to many, indeed most, people in this country and therefore some focus on him was inevitable. A more impartial approach from the Chairman might have been helpful. Having taken the much criticised decision to invite the leader of the BNP, apparently on grounds of this party’s crossing an electoral threshold, the BBC should have had confidence in its decision and proceeded with dignity and with the proper format of the show. Griffin’s views, which alarm a good many would have alarmed many more. As it is the British tradition of supporting the underdog has brought this extremest party a wave of public sympathy. At a time when the others are at an historically low ebb in public esteem, this could very well translate into votes.