BNP invited to launch of England World Cup bid
A member of the British National Party was officially invited to the launch of England’s bid to host the football World Cup, the right-wing group said today.
Richard Barnbrook was asked to attend the event at Wembley which marked the start of the drive to host the tournament in 2018 or 2022.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Lord Triesman spoke at the event, putting an emphasis on diversity.
One eyewitness said: “I found it shocking and it undermined the tone of the launch and ran counter to it.
“They were making all the right sounds during the presentation, phrases like making England a home from home, and here was someone sitting there from the BNP. Why would you invite him?”
A spokesman for the British National Party said people must “get used” to party members attending official events.
He said: “He was officially invited as a member of the London Assembly. He was there, he wasn’t doing anything wrong.
“It would have been rude not to go. People had better get used to BNP politicians being elected because we are going to see more and more of this.”
The spokesman said Mr Barnbrook has also been invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace.
But an England 2018 spokesman said the politician will not be asked to any future events.
He said: “All elected members of the GLA were invited to today’s launch.
“We recognise that the presence of one elected member, who is playing no part in the England 2018 bid has caused offence and we apologise. He should not have been present at today’s event and will not be at any in the future.”
