Should the BNP have been allowed on Question Time?

The fundamental basis of our society and at the heart of British values is democracy. It is this notion that is Mr Griffin's biggest asset - his weapons against all those who want to deny his party a democratic platform.

For many years, Britain has prided herself as the pinnacle of democracy. A society where the right to free speech is treated with utmost respect, care and dignity. However, without doubt, there is a line: the right to free speech ceases to exist when it infringes on other people's rights. This is the case with the BNP. They have made a string of gratuitously provocative and mendacious statements about immigrants. By permitting the BNP to appear on Question Time, whether we like it or not, we are condoning hate speech. This is utterly unacceptable.

Conversely, there are those who vehemently argue that by denying the BNP a slot on Question Time, it would be counter-productive. If the government are perceived to be hiding the BNP from the public, it gives their party credibility. They will be able to claim that the only reason they were disallowed is because the government cannot challenge them. It would be disastrous to give them this validity. Instead, by drawing them into a reasoned and open debate, we can highlight their flaws and hypocrisies. Besides, their support is a symptom of ignorance. People lend their support to the BNP because they do not realise that this is a racist party, not an innocuous nationalistic one. Question Time has helped to cure this problem.

Perhaps it did educate some people - but probably, their appearance on Question Time, fuelled new support as well. The programme last week captured record audiences; amongst this were many impressionable young children. Their exposure to Mr Griffin's fallacious claims might not have been such to them. Innocently, they may have believed what he said - and now, those beliefs could be instilled in them. It is an unforgivable crime, on our behalf, that we are exposing our children to such views.

Furthermore, the BNP on Question Time will have undoubtedly undermined Britain's reputation. We have given the BNP a platform to attack our own citizens. The world will look at this decision with disdain. Britain is the melting pot of the globe, a haven for many immigrants. This makes the decision even more surprising.

Although there are reasons for allowing the BNP on Question Time, I believe it was the wrong decision. Mr Griffin is a distasteful figure who has great offence to the British public. He has been given a patina of legitimacy that he does not deserve.