griffin 1 200x200 Concern that Griffin TCD debate may springboard Irish wing of radical party

Griffin: concern mounting that British politician could use TCD debate to boost interest in Irish offshoot of extremist political fringe party

Concern has been expressed today that a visit by radical British politician Nick Griffin to debate during a meeting of TCD’s debating society could be used as a springboard to build impetus for the establishment of an Irish wing of the hotly controversial party.

The Evening Herald reports this afternoon that the party is currently ‘agitating’ for the establishment of an Irish wing of the party — confirming doubts many had expressed that the Trinity debate would be used as a PR stunt to further such aspirations.

The British National Party (BNP) has a history of advocating both fascist and racist positions. Its current leader, Nick Griffin, is a Holocaust denier who has openly referred to the Holocaust as the ‘Holohaux’, while also advocating strongly against immigrants’ rights in Britain.

It is feared that any Irish off-shoot of the party could hold as radical a position as its British counterpart.

Both Trinity socialists, anti-fascist campaigners, and a Jewish students’ union in the UK have vowed to protest against the debate, but the Students Union has resolutely held onto its initial position that it will be allowing the debate to go ahead.

Today’s news, however, could up the ante on pressure for the debate to be scrapped.

Speaking to the editor of the University Times, a representative of the extremist party said that:

“There is nothing I would like to see more than an Irish National Party representing the interests of the Irish people.”

A representative of the Philosoph however recently re-iterated the society’s initial stand on the matter:

“We do not endorse the views of any of our speakers. Nick Griffin has been invited to speak solely on immigration. He is a prominent speaker on this issue,” he told the Evening Herald.

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