THE British National Party has expelled its former leader Nick Griffin, accusing him of harassing and spreading lies about members of party staff.
The expulsion follows a Conduct Committee set up by Adam Walker, the party's new chairman, during which it was claimed Mr Griffin was "trying to cause disunity by deliberately fabricating a state of crisis".
In a letter to Mr Griffin detailing his removal from the party, the committee also claimed he was trying to "embroil the BNP in factionalism" in an attempt to "destabilise" the party.
A spokesman for the party said: "This has been a difficult decision to make and not one taken lightly.
"Although we all appreciate Nick has achieved a lot for our party in the past, we must also remember the party is bigger than any individual.
"Nick did not adjust well to being given the honorary title of President and it soon became obvious he was unable to work as an equal member of the team and, alarmingly, his behaviour became more erratic and disruptive."
Mr Griffin took to Twitter, the social networking site, to respond, saying: "Breaking news! I've just been 'expelled' without trial from the #BNP! That'll teach me to tell a member of staff he's a 'useless, lazy t***'."
He later accused the party leadership of playing "plastic gangster games".
Mr Griffin, who had been BNP chairman for 15 years until leaving his post following an Executive Council meeting in July, is accused of preparing a report that contains false information about key party personnel and includes lies about the state of the group's finances.
He is also accused of "harassing members of BNP staff and in at least one case making physical threats", as well as "bringing the party into disrepute through public statements".
The former North West MEP lost his seat earlier this year and was also declared bankrupt in January.
His bankruptcy followed a dispute with a firm of solicitors over outstanding debts of £120,000.
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