BNP stalled by Socialists

BRITISH National Party activists were forced to close a publicity stall in the city centre after clashing with Scottish Socialist Party members.

The SSP group - including two prospective candidates in the coming General Election, Morag Robertson for Edinburgh South and Steven Nimmo for Livingston - arrived at the stall on Princes Street where BNP campaigners were handing out party leaflets. For one hour, they surrounded the stall to prevent it from operating before it was shut down and the campaigners left.

Speaking after Saturday’s events, Mr Nimmo said: "If they think they are going to be treated as a respectable political party they can think again."

A British National Party spokesman said: "We saw the whole episode as friendly banter."