Nick Griffin has been replaced as leader of the British National Party (BNP), the far-right group announced.

The party said Adam Walker had been appointed acting chairman after Mr Griffin "stepped aside", two months after he lost the party's only seat at the European Parliament in a disastrous set of election results.

Mr Griffin, who was declared bankrupt in January, had "taken up the position of President"

After voters in the north west ousted him as an MEP in May, Mr Griffin accepted the BNP would be described as a "racist" outfit.

Its supporters wanted to "send them all home", he said - suggesting they would end up disappointed if they had voted for Ukip as an alternative.