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The former leader of the British National Party has endorsed UKIP at the next election.
Nick Griffin said he was planning to vote UKIP to shake up the political system and because he believed it would increase the chances of an EU referendum happening.
“I will hold nose & vote Ukip because it will help break up the Westminster system. & hold Cameron's feet to referendum fire,” he tweeted yesterday.
He however criticised Nigel Farage, referring to him as a “Toryboy” and posting a photograph of the party leader holding a mug with a picture of Margaret Thatcher on it.
“Don’t be fooled,” he added.
In another tweet this morning, Mr Griffin said: "Farage votes for GM crops in the EU Parliament. Vote UKIP to kick Cameron, but don't be fooled."
UKIP has sought to distance itself from parties of the far-right, banning former BNP members from joining and rejecting alliances in Europe with France’s Front National.
It has however, like the BNP, been dogged with allegations of racism amongst its members .
Ukip gaffes and controversiesShow all 18 1 /18Ukip gaffes and controversies Ukip gaffes and controversies European elections poster Party's latest EU election posters branded 'racist' and compared to BNP campaigns
Rex
Ukip gaffes and controversies Farage 'car-crash' interview Ukip spin doctor forced to intervene as Farage falters in disastrous radio interview
Ukip gaffes and controversies Neil Hamilton Picture Exclusive: The year is 1998. The venue is a Springbok Club meeting. The flag is a symbol for white supremacists in South Africa. And the speaker is Ukip’s deputy chairman, Neil Hamilton
Ukip gaffes and controversies Kerry Smith Kerry Smith resigned as would-be MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock after it emerged he had mocked gay party members as “disgusting poofters”, joked about shooting people from Chigwell in a “peasant hunt” and referred to someone with a Chinese name as a “Chinky bird”
PA
Ukip gaffes and controversies Natasha Bolter Former Ukip member Natasha Bolter was suspected of not having the teaching qualifications she professed to, only days after it was revealed that claims of her having attended Oxford University were also false
PA
Ukip gaffes and controversies Ukip Calypso song Mike Reid released a single in praise of UKIP trying to control the UK's borders, only to withdraw the single after being accused of racism for singing in a Jamaican accent
Ukip gaffes and controversies Janice Atkinson Janice Atkinson, Ukip's South East chair, pictured by protesters while campaigning in Ashford, Kent with local party chair Norman Taylor
Facebook/Maria Pizzey
Ukip gaffes and controversies Ukip cancels Freephone Ukip cancels Freephone number after protesters repeatedly called to push up costs
Getty Images
Ukip gaffes and controversies Farage 'car-crash' interview Mr Farage appeared to be caught out on a number of issues, from Romanian neighbours to people speaking foreign languages on the train
Ukip gaffes and controversies Ukip employs illegal immigrants Ukip criticised after European election candidate found employing illegal immigrants
AP
Ukip gaffes and controversies Magnus Nielsen Ukip candidate: 'Take away the right to vote to improve election turnout'
Getty Images
Ukip gaffes and controversies Poster model A “British builder” portrayed in a Ukip poster accusing EU workers of taking UK jobs turns out to be an Irish actor - aka a migrant worker
Ukip gaffes and controversies 'Arrest protesters' Ukip called for police to arrest protesters ‘who call us fascists’ ahead of showdown with anti-fascist groups in Brighton
Ukip gaffes and controversies London Live make-up Ukip's Nigel Farage reportedly refused to go on London Live 'without professional make up-artist'
Reuters
Ukip gaffes and controversies Andre Lampitt Ukip forced to suspend the "poster boy" of its European election broadcast, after it was revealed he had posted a series of vile racist comments on Twitter
Ukip gaffes and controversies Expenses Nigel Farage says he is taking taking legal advice over “outrageous” allegations that he is responsible for more than £50,000 of “missing” EU funding that was paid directly into his personal bank account
Ukip gaffes and controversies Have I Got News For You Nigel Farage appears in Have I Got News For You, spends the entire episode being ridiculed over expenses and party 'fruitcakes'
BBC
Ukip gaffes and controversies Anti-gay comments Local branch chairman for Ukip defends a party's councillor candidate Douglas Denny who called gay people “abnormal” and said he wished “they stop trying to ram it down my throat”, all while discussing whether the word “sodomite” should be used
Mr Griffin quit the BNP as party leader this summer after a series of election disastrous election result, including the loss of his own European Parliament seat.
He was replaced by party member Adam Walker.
The far-right party was wiped out in the European Parliament elections in May and lost nearly all of its council seats.
Back in 2009 Mr Griffin presided over a moderate rise in support for the BNP when it took six per cent of the vote in the European elections.
He was declared financially bankrupt in January this year .
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