Independent unionist Jolene Bunting

AN application by controversial far right group Britain First to register as a political party in Northern Ireland has been rejected.

A spokesman for the Electoral Commission said the bid was turned down last month because “the application was incomplete”.

It is understood the group did not provide the appropriate financial scheme required.

The Electoral Commission website says the financial scheme "demonstrates how your party will comply with the legal requirements of party and election finances under the PPERA (Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000)".

Britain First caused controversy when it took part in a rally outside Belfast City Hall in July.

Several dozen people attended the ‘Northern Ireland Against Terrorism' event including Britain First leader Paul Golding and deputy leader Jayda Fransen, who both spoke.

During the rally, whose organisers included independent unionist councillor Jolene Bunting, Ms Fransen described mosques as “dens of iniquity” and claimed the “world is at war with Islam”.

She also confirmed that Britain First was intending to organise in the north.