THE respectable mask of the BNP has been ripped away, exposing the snarling face of hatred beneath.

An undercover film reveals the true nature of British National Party leader Nick Griffin. He has taken the party away from its Seventies skinhead image to make it more voter-friendly, but tonight's BBC documentary smashes that deceit.

Portraying himself as a reputable politician concerned for the future of these islands, Mr Griffin is really a small-minded bigot determined to whip up religious and racial intolerance.

In a shameful attack, he describes Islam as "a vicious, wicked faith" which has "expanded through a handful of cranky lunatics". In fact it is the handful of cranky lunatics in the BNP whose viciousness endangers us all.

The documentary proves this. One party member admits taking part in a racially-motivated attack on an Asian man. Another tells of his desire to blow up Bradford's mosques.

A third says he pushed dog faeces through to letterbox of an Asian takeaway. A BNP councillor is shown plotting to attack a van delivering leaflets condemning his party.

York has been targeted by the British National Party regularly. Before the European elections, the leaders of the city's legitimate political parties united to call on residents not to vote for BNP.

Nevertheless, three per cent of those who took part in the ballot fell for BNP lies. We hope tonight's brave and commendable BBC documentary will persuade those 1,700 people never to back the bigots again.

Updated: 11:15 Thursday, July 15, 2004