10:23AM, Oct 26, 2009
BNP leader Nick Griffin could be invited back to the BBC's Question Time, following his controversial appearance last week.
The BBC's deputy director general Mark Byford said yesterday that the BNP "should be invited again" and that their party political broadcasts will be screened at the next election.
He added that the BNP was "not banned from the airwaves" and that the party leader may be invited to take part in other BBC shows such as Newsnight, Radio 4's Today programme and the Andrew Marr Show.
The move has prompted anger from campaigners who have accused the BBC of chasing ratings.
Welsh secretary Peter Hain said: "I feared Question Time would give the BNP a publicity lift-off and that has happened with a vengeance.
"They have gained members, they have gained in profile, they have gained in every possible way."
7.8million viewers tuned in to last week's edition of the politics show, but Mark Byford denied the decision to include Nick Griffin in last week's debate was an attempt to boost viewing figures.
He added: "I don't regret it - in fact I think the BBC has been shown to take due impartiality incredibly seriously."
A poll commissioned after the Question Time airing suggested a number of controversial BNP policies on immigration, sex education and Islam had resonance with viewers, according to the Daily Mail.
The ICM survey found that almost two-thirds feel the mainstream parties have no credible policies on immigration. But only 6 per cent said the BNP had the best policies and just 10 per cent agreed with the far-right party that there should be a halt to all future immigration.
