Following Nick Griffin’s decision to step aside from his position as head of the controversial British National Party (BNP), recently appointed deputy head, Adam Walker, has accepted the role of Acting Chairman.
A BNP spokesperson told RT on Tuesday that Walker - who was formerly a teacher - had been struck off Britain’s teaching register indefinitely.
Despite this, Walker is set to head the controversial far-right party - a role he formally accepted on July 21. Following his new appointment, the BNP issued a statement on Monday highlighting they were "united in their support for Adam” in his new role.
Griffin, whose controversial stance on immigration made him the target of heated criticism throughout his tenure as party leader, will remain within the BNP as president.
The right-wing politician had previously claimed he would forfeit his leadership by the end of 2013 - emphasizing it was time to “make way for a younger person”. It was allegedly his intention to devote his full energy to retaining a seat in the 2014 European Parliament elections.
But Griffin - who was publicly declared bankrupt in January 2014 - chose to remain as party head until July 19. The former BNP leader's final departure from his role followed the loss of his seat in the European Parliament (EP) elections on May 25.
At the latter phase of his tenure, Griffin was the subject of vehement public critique. When he arrived at Manchester town hall for the EP election results on May 25, UK protesters reportedly surrounded him, screaming “Nazi scum”. Others hurled placards at him, while police officers had to fend off an angry mob in his midst.
The BNP won two separate seats in in the European Parliament in 2009, but the party has allegedly been plagued by internal fission and conflict since.
The BNP's other MEP, Andrew Barons, resigned in 2011. And many other party members reportedly harboured frustration towards Griffin as his reign drew to a close.
In recent times, the BNP’s popularity has drastically declined. But the party appears unwilling to admit defeat. Despite having faced an effective electoral collapse in Britain, it currently defines itself as “Britain’s fastest growing political party”.
Prior to his decision to adopt the role of BNP President, Griffin had been Chairman of the party for over fifteen years.