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Leader of the British National Party Nick Griffin has been denied entry to Buckingham Palace as he presents a "security threat" The far-right MEP had used his invite to today’s Queens garden party for "party political purposes" and his attendance would provide "discomfort" for the other guests according to Palace officials. The decision came just two hours before the event which he was attending with his wife and fellow MEP Andrew Brons - their invitations are still thought to be valid. An interview on GMTV this morning and a message on the BNP website calling the invite a "highly symbolic moment" are believed to be behind the decision to bar him. Last year Griffin pulled out of the same event claiming he had "no wish to embarrass the Queen" after a public backlash. He was automatically invited in his capacity as MEP for the North West - the Palace said their decision of refuse entry was not "disrespectful to the democratic process" and that "any guest" would be treated the same. A Unite Against Fascism spokesman said: "Events like this help to make Nick Griffin and the BNP seem legitimate in the eyes of racist voters." Now, the Palace has issued a statement barring the MEP: "Nick Griffin MEP will be denied entry to today's Garden Party at Buckingham Palace due to the fact he has overtly used his personal invitation for Party political purposes through the media. This in turn has increased the security threat and the potential discomfort to the many other guests also attending. Mr Griffin's personal invitation was issued to him as an elected Member of the European Parliament. The decision to deny him entry is not intended to show any disrespect to the democratic process by which the invitation was issued. However, we would apply the same rules to anyone who tried to blatantly politicise their attendance in this way."
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