Aamer Anwar: BNP "Not welcome"

There have been 90 racially-motivated attacks in the city this year and, with hundreds of asylum seekers housed at Sighthill, there has been concern that the BNP could incite more racist attacks.

Mr Maan, president of the National Association of British Pakistanis, said people living in Scotland should not be provoked by the move.

He said: "I would urge people of all races not to be provoked by this attempt to stir up trouble.

"The BNP will be looking for a vehement reaction in the city, so we should leave it up to the police to keep an eye on these people rather than take the law into our own hands.

Police response

"A tiny number of individuals might be seduced by crude propaganda but the BNP are wasting its time if it believes it can undo the good work to bring together the different communities."

A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police said: "We have learned about the visit and the event will be given an appropriate police response."

Nick Griffin is touring Scottish cities

Anti-racism campaigner Aamer Anwar said: "These people are not welcome here.

"Freedom of speech in this case could come at the cost of more racial attacks."

Mr Griffin, however, played down reports that the BNP was intent on whipping up racial hatred.

He said: "There is a campaign in the Sighthill area launched by the local BNP.

Channelling 'resentment'

"It is a matter of encouraging people who feel strongly about this issue that there is a political party that supports them.

"We are campaigning against the dumping of people in these areas and we want to turn incoherent resentment against asylum seekers into opposition to the politicians who made the policy."

Residents say asylum seekers get preferential treatment

There are about 4,500 asylum seekers in Scotland and most of them are in Glasgow.

Sighthill residents have already expressed anger at what they see is preferential treatment for the asylum seekers.

They attacked Glasgow City Council, which will get �100m from the Home Office over five years to house and support the asylum seekers.

A number of refugee groups have also criticised the lack of resources and support available and say there was not enough preparation before the houses were let to refugees.