A controversial British politician convicted of inciting racial hatred could soon be sipping tea with Queen Elizabeth at one of her annual garden parties. British National Party leader Nick Griffin, right, pictured in August last year at a party political event. Nick Griffin is the leader of the British National Party, a right-wing group that opposes immigration and wants Britain to withdraw from the European Union. The party said Griffin will attend the queen's July 21 garden party at Buckingham Palace as a guest of Richard Barnbrook, an elected BNP member of the London Assembly But pressure was mounting Thursday for Barnbrook to pick someone else.
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London mayor asks assembly member not to take BNP leader Nick Griffin to party
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Garden parties at Buckingham Palace began by Queen Victoria in the 1860s
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The queen and her husband circulate among around 8,000 guests at each event
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Palace: The queen is not consulted on the choice of accompanying guests
"Unless Mr. @placeholder brings a more acceptable guest along and doesn't turn it into a political stunt, the invitation will be rescinded," Assembly Chairman Darren Johnson said.