Rio: BBC decision on BNP 'brave'

England football vice-captain Rio Ferdinand has said that he believes the BBC is "brave" for inviting British National Party leader Nick Griffin to appear on its Question Time programme.

Speaking to BBC's 1Xtra News he said: "In this country we preach about democracy, so I think if we're talking about being fair then everyone's entitled to voice their opinion on things.

"Whether we don't believe it or believe it, it doesn't matter. We live in a democracy here so you've got to give people the chance to voice their opinion."

Protesters have gathered outside Television Centre to demonstrate against the decision to allow Mr Griffin a place on the panel for tonight's broadcast.

Ferdinand, who plays for England and Manchester United, said it was important that the BNP leader's views were challenged by the other guests.

"We'll have to see what happens. At the end of the day I think it is vitally important who's up on the panel alongside this gentleman you're talking about.

"Those people have got a big responsibility to make sure that certain questions get answered. They need to get them answered for the sake of the public.

"I think it's a very very tricky situation - brave by the BBC, I'm sure of that - but we'll have to wait for the outcome."

Ferdinand has often spoken out on the problem of racism in football.

"My Dad is from St Lucia, my mum's English. I'm British, I'm English, I sing the national anthem. I'm passionate about my country. But there are small minded people out there.

"Ignorance is something that hopefully we can wean out of this generation and hopefully with shows like this we can start to do this."