Nick Griffin bankrupt, but BNP leader will stand as an MEP

NICK GRIFFIN has been declared bankrupt, but the British National Party leader says his financial woes won't stop him standing for re-election as an MEP.

Rumours that Griffin was bankrupt emerged this morning in a report posted on the website of the far-right splinter group, The British Democratic Party. The BNP leader subsequently confirmed his plight in a series of tweets.

In one, he wrote: "A note for all: Being bankrupt does NOT prevent me being or standing as an MEP. It does free me from financial worries. A good day!"

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Two minutes later he added: "Party funds are not affected in any way. Our campaign in May will be our most professional yet & I will be lead candidate in the North West".

Griffin even managed to put a positive spin on his financial state, declaring that he is "turning the experience [of bankruptcy] to the benefit of hard-up constituents by producing a booklet on dealing with debt". He added: "No surrender!"

The New Statesman confirms that Griffin's bankruptcy does not bar him from standing for re-election as an MEP in May's European elections. But it adds: "Based on the BNP's recent electoral performance, the voters are likely to remove him in any case".

Griffin was declared bankrupt at Welshpool County Court yesterday. A BNP spokesman told Buzzfeed that the party's leader was left with substantial debt after a "dispute with a legal firm".

"This was a debt via a firm of solicitors that he has a considerable professional negligence claim against," the spokesman said. "They were offered a substantial amount every month as a settlement but rejected it. That's why we are where we are."

The spokesman added: "Nick's taken this on the chin for the party, he's going to be standing again, he's been brave."