A BURNLEY man is set to stand trial later this year over allegations that he racially abused British National Party leader Nick Griffin.

Lawyers representing Tauriq Khalid claimed that his prosecution, relating to an alleged incident at a demonstration in Burnley last November, might not be in the public interest.

Khalid, 25, of Windermere Avenue, Burnley, pleaded not guilty to using racially abusive threatening behaviour towards Griffin on November 18.

Defence barrister Zoe Neild told Preston Crown Court that the trial may be used by people “for their own political motivations”.

“It may not have been given consideration at the highest levels within the Crown Prosecution Service and we would ask that this is done,” she added.

The incident, where Khalid is alleged to have hurled ‘racist’ abuse at Griffin, is said to have taken place while the party leader was being interviewed by the group’s internet broadcast arm, BNPTV.

But Jonathan Oultram, for the crown, said the case had been reviewed by a senior lawyer and would still proceed.

Recorder of Preston, Judge Anthony Russell QC, said he had also read the case papers and was satisified that the matter had been considered by senior CPS figures.

Khalid was released on bail by Judge Russell to face a three-day trial at Preston, beginning on November 2.

The incident is alleged to have occurred at a BNP demonstration outside Burnley Police Station, in Parker Lane, over the prospect of four party supporters from East Lancashire being charged with racial incitement offences regarding the distribution of leaflets linking Muslim gangs to the heroin trade.

* Griffin was convicted in 1998 of distributing material likely to incite racial hatred.