Griffin considers joining BNP

Edgar Griffin could switch to the British National Party

The man kicked out of the Conservative Party because of his alleged links with the British National Party has told the BBC he is considering joining the far right organisation.

Edgar Griffin, father of BNP chairman Nick Griffin, said he intends to fight his expulsion.

But Mr Griffin Snr said if he failed to convince party officials he should keep his position, he could be recruited by the extreme right.

He said his other option was a switch to the UK Independence Party.

Edgar Griffin's son Nick polled 6,500 votes in Oldham West

The 79-year-old - who has been a Tory party member for more than 50 years - said he could not accept his expulsion, even though the Conservative Party in Wales insisted he had been kicked out.

On Thursday, the leadership election team of Iain Duncan Smith struck Mr Griffin off their list of vice presidents, amid tabloid claims that he had answered a BNP helpline.

Mr Griffin spent the day protesting his innocence but, in a series of interviews, he made inflammatory comments about asylum seekers and William Hague.

He spoke out in favour of funding voluntary repatriation for immigrants, which is a BNP policy.

Iain Duncan Smith: Barely contained anger

Mr Duncan Smith was angered by the incident and urged the Welsh Conservatives to immediately investigate how Mr Griffin Snr had held office in Montgomeryshire Conservative Association.

Iain Duncan Smith: Barely contained anger

Mr Duncan Smith - standing against Ken Clarke for the Tory leadership - accused his opponents of a "two or three day campaign of vilification and smears".

On Saturday, Mr Clarke accused the Duncan Smith camp of "losing its cool" over the row.

Earlier, Conservative vice chairman Steve Norris, a prominent supporter of Mr Clarke, said Mr Duncan Smith's "whole stance" attracted people like Mr Griffin.

He warned against the party becoming a "xenophobic, racist rump".