Earlier today, Nick Griffin tweeted the address of the gay
couple who took legal action against a B&B a while ago. He did this under
the pretext of ‘heterophobia’, and promised that a “British Justice team” would
give them “a bit of drama” to remind them that an Englishman’s home is his
castle.
The couple in question are in their 50s and 60s, it is
probably worth pointing out, just in case the clear incitement to violence
weren’t bad enough for a younger couple.
He has been suspended by twitter, and many people are
calling for his arrest. He is likely to play the victim in this, and continue
to claim he is persecuted. But let’s debunk some of the possible defences he
may try, shall we?
1 – “It weren’t me, your honour. I were hacked!”
Sorry, Nicky boy. Just after this happened, you used your
twitter account to link to a statement on your website that explained why you
referring to some Irish people as “Fenians” wasn’t racist in any way, but was
in fact a call to the Irish to stop immigration into their own country or some
such bollocks.
2 – “Inciting violence, your honour? No, of course not! I
was merely suggesting some polite demonstration.”
This seems particularly likely, what with the BNP being
known for their polite discourse and not at all for being a bit punchy when it
comes to conflict. However, there’s one simple question that kind of breaks
this idea.
What would a demonstration achieve?
The ruling has been made. They won. Even if they so chose,
it’s not like they can now drop charges. With the absence of a working time
machine it’s not likely that the kindly demonstrators would be able to do
anything.
And besides, if Nick Griffin had a working time machine, he’d
probably use it to go back in time to the 1940s and wank himself to death
watching live speeches by Hitler. Or he’d go back and spend some time with his
Gypsy Great-Grandfather*.
Basically, nobody believes that he was doing anything other
than suggesting they get a kicking. Even if he had been, he’d likely have
suggested a specific time. As it is, it was just publishing their address to
his followers.
And if he did want to actually have a demonstration, why not outside the court rather than someone's home?
3 – “They’re heterophobes. They deserve it.”
Fuck off.
Not always being automatically in the right because of your
sexuality is not the same as any actual discrimination. Complaining that you
were treated differently because of your gender, race or sexuality is not the
same as complaining that someone is different because of their gender, race or
sexuality.
But in fairness, there is a time and a place for gay people
in their 50s and 60s to have sex that isn’t their home. And the time is night
time, and the place is a B&B somewhere quiet. Although they may have just
wanted to have a Horlicks and listen to some Leonard Cohen. We’ll never know.
4 – “It was only a couple of tweets”.
He might have got away with this a little while ago, but after
a strange year for the British justice system, people have been through serious
court cases for things written on social media.
And they didn’t post people’s addresses, suggesting ‘justice
teams’ were on their way around, seemingly thinking he was a shit Judge Dredd.
5 – “This is British Justice”.
No, it isn’t. The British Justice system has assessed this
case, and have made a ruling. That’s part and parcel of living in Britain, a
country that Nick Griffin claims to love, but is actually an embarrassment to.
In my professional legal opinion as just some guy, it seems
to me that there’s a genuine possibility that Griffin may end up in jail over
this. I rather hope that he ends up with a gay, black cell-mate, since it
sounds like a wonderful premise for a sitcom. Well, I would hope for it, if it
weren’t for the fact that it would be unfair to a gay, black cell-mate.
The best thing about this whole situation is that Griffin
has absolutely, entirely, fundamentally and simply brought it on himself.
For me, this is why allowing the BNP to speak publicly is a
good idea. They don’t seem to be able to help themselves but do stupid things
like threaten violence, commit violence, and constantly expose themselves for
the hate filled morons that they are.
Currently, Nick Griffin is suspended from Twitter. While I’d
rather he be allowed the chance to further dig himself into his own hole, it
does make for a nice message.
Nick Griffin is not capable of conducting himself properly
in social media. But then, he does not seem capable of conducting himself
properly in society.
*I would normally use the term traveller, but the thought that it may annoy Griffin amuses me enough to warrant otherwise.
*I would normally use the term traveller, but the thought that it may annoy Griffin amuses me enough to warrant otherwise.
