BNP leader Nick Griffin hits back after ‘Fenian’ tweet sparks complaint to police

BRITISH National Party leader Nick Griffin has tried to defend himself following criticism of his use of the word “Fenian” on Twitter.

He said he had used the word after receiving abusive messages from Irish republicans.

Mr Griffin, who attended the Ulster Covenant event at Stormont in Belfast on Saturday, said it had not been not aimed at Catholics in general, but he would not be withdrawing the remark.

Northern Ireland’s mainly-Catholic SDLP has lodged a complaint with the police.

Mr Griffin said he had attended Saturday’s event as a member of the public, and not a guest of the Orange Order.

“I knew this was going to be a big and spectacular parade. I wanted to come along and have a look,” he said. “It wasn’t about Catholics, it was about the operatives of the republican grievance exploitation machine who were leaving foul-mouthed tweets on my Twitter feed.

“It was about them specifically. They’re the ones I had a go at.

“If they want to leave vast amounts of foul-mouthed abuse on my Twitter feed when I’m showing people on the mainland, primarily, a part of the culture of Britain that they don’t see much of, and if that upset a group of republicans, I’m not going to apologise.”

SDLP councillor Nichola Mallon said: “The complaint I have lodged cites part III of the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987, which deals with actions or words which stir up hatred or fear.”