A far-right British political party says police have arrested its chairman on suspicion of inciting racial hatred, but later freed him on bail.
A statement on the British National Party's web site says police showed up early Tuesday at the house of party chairman Nick Griffin and took him into custody.
The party statement denounced what it called Britain's "fascist" government for the arrest.
Earlier this year, British television broadcast a documentary exposing the extent of racism within the far-right party. The documentary included footage showing party activists confessing to race-hate crimes and of Mr. Griffin condemning Islam as a "vicious, wicked faith."
Police have confirmed they arrested a man early Tuesday on suspicion of incitement to racial hatred. But they did not identify the detainee, since authorities have not yet formally charged him with any crime.
Some information for this story provided by AFP and Reuters.