Former BNP leader Nick Griffin made an appearance at a London crown court today, refuting allegations of inciting racial hatred through a cartoon shared on social media.

The 67-year-old, who helmed the BNP from 1999 to 2014, is facing charges from the Campaign Against Antisemitism in a private criminal prosecution. Griffin pleaded not guilty to two charges at Southwark Crown Court – displaying material likely to incite racial hatred and publishing or distributing material likely to incite racial hatred. The case was adjourned by Mr Justice Swift for a trial scheduled to commence on May 11 next year.

Griffin, residing in Welshpool, Powys, is accused in connection with a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) featuring a cartoon of a large spider donning a Star of David. The post, deemed antisemitic, was accompanied by a comment on December 6, 2021, allegedly intended to fuel racial hatred.

During the day-long court session, Griffin sat behind his barrister and is expected to return for the trial. Photographs captured him arriving early at the crown court near London Bridge station, displaying a relaxed demeanor as he entered the court premises.

In a previous report, Griffin suggested that British nationalists should consider joining the Army reserves for military training in anticipation of a potential “civil war.” He emphasized the advantages of legal military training and remuneration compared to involvement in extremist fringe groups.