political reporter,London(wp/es):
The British National Party is no longer a registered political party in the UK after it failed to submit paperwork required by the Electoral Commission.
The Commission removed the controversial political party from its official list today, meaning that it will not be able to field candidates in any UK elections.
A spokeman said the BNP had been removed from the list as it had failed to confirm its registration details, which all political parties must submit annually for a £25 fee.
The statement of accounts from the BNP was due on July 7, 2015, with the party's annual confirmation of registered details due on or before January 7.
However, the BNP's name and logo will be protected for two years under electoral law, and the party will be able to submit an application to re-register.
A statement from the Electoral Commission said: "Now that the party has been removed from the register, BNP candidates cannot, at present, use the party’s name, descriptions or emblems on the ballot paper at elections.
"The party can, however, submit an application to re-register at any time and their name, descriptions and emblems are protected under PPERA for two years to prevent other parties using them.
"Any application will be considered by the Commission in line with its usual processes for assessing new applications to register political parties."
BNP spokesman Stephen Squire said it was a "clerical error on our part" and that the party would submit the right paperwork within the next few days.
"It's a little bit embarrassing," he said, but insisted it would be "business as usual" for the party, which intended to contest the London mayoral election and some council seats.
"We've been overwhelmed by the number of phone calls we've had from people concerned we might be disappearing."
The British National Party is no longer a registered political party in the UK after it failed to submit paperwork required by the Electoral Commission.
The Commission removed the controversial political party from its official list today, meaning that it will not be able to field candidates in any UK elections.
A spokeman said the BNP had been removed from the list as it had failed to confirm its registration details, which all political parties must submit annually for a £25 fee.
The statement of accounts from the BNP was due on July 7, 2015, with the party's annual confirmation of registered details due on or before January 7.
However, the BNP's name and logo will be protected for two years under electoral law, and the party will be able to submit an application to re-register.
A statement from the Electoral Commission said: "Now that the party has been removed from the register, BNP candidates cannot, at present, use the party’s name, descriptions or emblems on the ballot paper at elections.
"The party can, however, submit an application to re-register at any time and their name, descriptions and emblems are protected under PPERA for two years to prevent other parties using them.
"Any application will be considered by the Commission in line with its usual processes for assessing new applications to register political parties."
BNP spokesman Stephen Squire said it was a "clerical error on our part" and that the party would submit the right paperwork within the next few days.
"It's a little bit embarrassing," he said, but insisted it would be "business as usual" for the party, which intended to contest the London mayoral election and some council seats.
"We've been overwhelmed by the number of phone calls we've had from people concerned we might be disappearing."
