BLACKBURN'S BNP could be banned from using council premises to hold meetings if it is decided that the party's policies infringe human rights.

A Labour motion put to last night's meeting of the Blackburn with Darwen Council forum, calling for new rules banning extremist parties from using the council's facilities, was backed by two parties.

And during the debate, Blackburn's only BNP councillor, Mill Hill's Robin Evans refused to condemn comments made by the party's leader, Nick Griffiths, who denied the Holocaust had taken place.

Coun Don Rishton, a Labour backbencher, said he felt moved to put forward the motion in a bid to make sure that no-one had forgotten the racial attacks and harassment which prevailed in Blackburn when the far-right was last active in the town.

Coun Rishton said: "If Coun Evans wishes to prove that the party he represents does meet the legal standards on race, gender, religion and acceptable standards of human rights he should stand up now and denounce what his leader has said."

Coun Evans refused to criticise what his leader had said and added: "You have no idea what you are talking about.

"The Human Rights Act allows us to hold meetings wherever we want."

The motion was passed by the council with backing from Labour and Lib Dem councillors.

Several Conservatives opposed it on the grounds that they felt the BNP had a democratic right to hold meetings in the Town Hall, regardless of what was said.

Coun Evans' short statement was the only comment he passed in a four hour meeting.