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| Sunday, 9 September, 2001, 13:38 GMT 14:38 UK Minister attacks BNP's teenage camp ![]() BNP supporters celebrate a rare election victory in 1993 Welsh First Minister Rhodri Morgan has expressed his "total revulsion" at British National Party plans to stage a Scouts-style camp weekend for teenagers. The Youth BNP is due to hold the Camp Excalibur weekend, for youngsters from 14 to 25 years old, on 29 and 30 September.
But the first minister, who said there was speculation the camp would be held in Wales, said the party was using the event to recruit fascists. "If this is true, I think I speak for everyone in expressing my total revulsion at the very idea that Wales would be playing host to Nick Griffin brainwashing the more gullible young people," he said. "The BNP is pretending to be putting on a fun weekend, but are trying to recruit future fascists." First camp Said to include paintballing, archery, football, outdoor pursuits and singing, the camp event is the first of the party's new youth camps. A BNP spokesperson said: "We're still organising it and getting it ready. "We're not releasing details to members of where it's going to be held until nearer the time.
The 'Red, White and Blue' event was held on a farm owned by the BNP leader's neighbour and included face-painting and entertainment as well as political talks. Dyfed-Powys Police kept rival Anti-Nazi League protestors away from the rally site over fears the two groups could clash. Before that event, Mr Morgan also attacked the party's "self-destructive" philosophy as "alien to everything we stand for in Wales." Location unknown An advert for Camp Excalibur on the British National Party's website says the event "will be a cracker, weather permitted." It adds:" Camp Excalibur is not just a male event. There is plenty to do for young women as well, and several girls are helping to organise the weekend."
Mr Morgan said: "The fact that the only BNP candidate standing in Wales at the recent general election got the lowest votes of his party anywhere in Britain was testimony to Welsh good sense." Nick Griffin's father, Edgar, was expelled from the Conservative party after more than 50 years in August after answering a telephone at his Welshpool home on behalf of the BNP, for which his wife is an active member. Dyfed-Powys Police in Welshpool said they were not aware of the plans for the camp but would expect a police presence at the site if details were confirmed. | See also: Internet links: The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top Wales stories now: Links to more Wales stories are at the foot of the page. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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