Former leader of the far-right BNP Nick Griffin has appeared in court accused of stirring up racial hatred over a cartoon he shared online

Former leader of the far-right BNP Nick Griffin has appeared in court accused of stirring up racial hatred over a cartoon he shared online.

The 66-year-old, who led the far-right British National Party until 2014 and later served as a Member of the European Parliament, is charged with making a “threatening, abusive or insulting” post. The cartoon is alleged to include antisemitic imagery, including a giant spider bearing a Star of David.

Griffin is being privately prosecuted by the Campaign Against Antisemitism and faces two counts of stirring up racial hatred. He denies the allegations.

Appearing by video link at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, Griffin was told his legal team would be able to apply to have the case dismissed at a hearing scheduled for April 2026. Judge Christopher Hehir ordered him to return to court on that date.

A provisional trial date has been set for May 2027. Griffin, who lives in Welshpool in mid Wales, did not enter a plea during the hearing.