‘Murdering old terrorist’: BNP leader Nick Griffin’s Twitter insult about ailing Nelson Mandela sparks fury



The anti-apartheid hero is in hospital fighting a lung infection



94-year-old's family are at his bedside in Pretoria hospital

Nick Griffin took opportunity to give his version of South African history



BNP leader Nick Griffin sparked anger on Twitter yesterday by posting a series of offensive messages about Nelson Mandela.



The former South African president is in a Pretoria hospital in a ‘serious but stable condition’ with his family at his bedside.



But that didn’t stop Mr Griffin, the MEP for the North West, using Mr Mandela’s illness to promote his views on South African history.



'Offensive': Nick Griffin, leader of the BNP, left, tweeted that former South African president Nelson Mandela, right, was a 'murdering old terrorist' as he fights a serious lung infection



He said: ‘Saint #nelsonmandela on last legs it seems.



‘Make sure to avoid BBC when the murdering old terrorist croaks. It’ll be nauseating.’

In another message Mr Griffin wrote: ‘Statesmen must be judged on results not rhetoric.



‘Before Mandela, South Africa was safe economic powerhouse. Now crime ridden basket case.’



Another tweet said: ‘No surprise #Mandela ’s lungs are shot - all those burning tyres. Smoking necklaces very bad for the health.’

Revered: Nelson Mandela became president after being released from prison on Robben Island

Frail: To many Nelson Mandela is a hero of the anti-apartheid movement, pictured here on a trip to London with David Cameron

There was an angry response to Mr Griffin’s views on Twitter yesterday.



Michael Bennett wrote: ‘A towering figure in world history and an inspiration to millions. Nick Griffin - an irrelevant footnote, thankfully soon forgotten.’

