We are lucky enough to live in a democratic society and enjoy free speech and the right to stand up for and vote for the party of our choice. Of course this means that people will be allowed to speak whose views are completely at odds with our own; however I would never give up such a basic human right!

If minority parties such as UKIP and the Green Party have occasionally taken part in Question Time debates then the BNP as, unfortunately, a legitimate party, and Mr. Griffin as an elected MEP should too.

It is not up to the BBC to pick and choose panelists based on the political stance of an elected party. The public purpose of the BBC is to represent “the UK, its nations, regions and communities” in an independent, impartial and honest way. Whether we like it or not, there are communities in the UK that feel the BNP reflects their viewpoint and in order to stand true to its purpose, the BBC must allow Mr. Griffin’s views to be represented.

By being invited to appear on Question Time, viewers representing all regions, religions and races have now finally had the chance to put their questions to Mr. Griffin on an open panel and decide for themselves what they think of his appalling extreme, far-right views.

The BBC’s argument that the BNP had as much right to appear on Question Time as any other political party was flawed, as they invited Nick Griffin to join the panel in the full knowledge that he and his party’s beliefs contravene its own policy of promoting “equal opportunities for all, irrespective of colour, race, religion or belief”.

As for the BBC’s Mark Thomson’s assertion that Griffin’s appearance was based on the ideal of free speech, there wasn’t much of that on show last night. As Mark Lawson observed: “normal service was abandoned…it was a five against one kicking”.

Some say that the BBC handed the BNP a PR coup and judging by the level of media coverage surrounding last night’s programme, you can see why. Towards the end of the show Dimbleby stated that he didn’t want it to “turn into the Nick Griffin show”. Unfortunately by that time the horse had already bolted.

On top of the legitimacy that an appearance on Question Time lent the BNP, the sheer amount of column inches Griffin and his party have gained as a result of the appearance would please any political campaign. This success in print has since converted into online support in the form of BNP supporters flooding the BBC Have Your Say pages with comments about Griffin’s performance.