BNP campaign race hate fears

Hundreds of asylum seekers have flats in Sighthill

There are fears that a campaign by the British National Party in Glasgow will stir up racial hatred against asylum seekers.

Anti-racism campaign Aamer Anwar attacked the decision by Scottish BNP members to distribute leaflets in Sighthill ahead of a visit by party chairman Nick Griffin.

Mr Griffin was expected to arrive in the city on Sunday evening as part of a tour of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling.

Mr Griffin said the party is opposed to the "dumping" of asylum seekers in Britain's cities and is merely giving a political channel for residents to express their anger at the UK government.

Nick Griffin arrives on Sunday

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

Some 90 racially-motivated attacks have been reported to the police in the city this year and the situation is said to be at boiling point.

There is concern that the actions by the BNP could incite more racist attacks.

Mr 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.

Channelling 'resentment'

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

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

Residents say asylum seekers get preferential treatment

"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."

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.