The Equality and Human Rights Commission has today written to the British National Party over possible breaches of anti-discrimination law in its membership criteria, employment practices and provision of services.

Dismay and concern have been expressed by church leaders following election gains by British National Party - with the churches being challenged to combat the narrow nationalist and "Christian nation" rhetoric the far-right is using.

Church and community leaders across Britain have stressed the importance of voting to stop racist and extremist candidates in today's European and local elections. Polling stations are open between 7am and 10pm.

Christians attending a Pentecostal festival have been urged towards a thoughtful and prayerful engagement with politics in the European and local elections, following the MPs' expense scandal and calls to isolate the racist BNP.

Leaders of three large Free Churches in Britain have issued a statement encouraging the voting public in Britain to use the upcoming European elections to back major change on global finance, climate and international poverty.