HSBC closes accounts held by BNP

Nick Griffin leads the British National Party

The far-right British National Party (BNP) is to have bank accounts it holds with HSBC closed, it has emerged.

The move follows action earlier this year by Barclays when it froze bank accounts held by the BNP.

The party, led by Nick Griffin, said no reason had been given for the latest decision and there has been no official explanation from the banking giant.

The BNP said that it was an attempt to shut the party down "by all available means".

HSBC sources told the Press Association news agency that action had been taken to close all accounts held by the BNP.