Fareham United Reformed Church

The United Reformed Church has made its strong opposition to the new European Parliament seat held by the British National Party clear by starting a petition.

In a statement issued by the church's joint public issues team, church leaders labelled the seat win by BNP leader Nick Griffin a "disgrace" and have urged members to show solidarity over the matter by signing the petition.

Leaders say the document aims to "show the rest of the EU what we think of the racist BNP". It is due to be handed into the European Parliament on the day that Nick Griffin takes his seat.

The BNP won two seats for the first time in the European Parliament. It also won three local council seats in elections held in England at the same time as the EU poll.

Christian leaders across Britain have shown concern over the seat wins due to controversial campaigns that have been lobbied by the party including the "voluntary" repatriation of non-white immigrants.

To see the URC petition visit:
http://action.hopenothate.org.uk/notinmyname.