Guardian Unlimited Politics |BNP set to make election broadcast

The far-right British National Party is set to qualify this week for a free election broadcast on nationwide TV, prompting an outcry from campaigners who fear heightened racial tensions. Trades unions plan to picket the BBC this week, demanding that extremists be denied a platform and that staff should not be forced to work on any broadcast aired against their wishes. Channel 4 is expected to treat the broadcast as a 'conscience issue' for uneasy staff.