BNP: Cameron “advocating BNP policy”

The BNP’s Simon Darby has claimed David Cameron’s much-hyped, much-trailed speech on immigration this morning is “advocating BNP policy”, adding:

“…if we had copyright on our manifesto we’d have our lawyers round his office within hours.”

Darby was speaking on the Today programme this morning. Listen to his interview:

Vince Cable, meanwhile, has criticised the prime minister, calling his comments “very unwise”. The BBC reports:

“…the Lib Dem business secretary said his words “risked inflaming extremism” and were not part of the coalition agreement. He suggested Mr Cameron was electioneering ahead of polls on 5 May…”

He told the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg:

“The reference to the tens of thousands of immigrants rather than hundreds of thousands is not part of the coalition agreement, it is Tory party policy only. I do understand there is an election coming but talk of mass immigration risks inflaming the extremism to which he and I are both strongly opposed…

“Much of the remaining immigration from outside the European Union is crucial to British recovery and growth. That’s why the cabinet collectively agreed to support British business and British universities by exempting overseas students and essential staff from the cap on Non-EU immigration.”

Cable has repeatedly criticised Cameron’s immigration cap, including on a trip to India last July, and again in September; as Will Straw reported:

“Responding to a question from Left Foot Forward at the Konigswinter 60th anniversary conference, he described the immigration cap as “doing great damage”, and said he was “at the limit of collective responsibility”.

“He cited the example of a British-based company that needs 500 specialists over a three-year period, explaining that half of these had to come from outside the European Union – yet the company had only been given a quota of 30.”

And this morning’s FT reports:

“The prime minister’s promise to cut yearly net migration to the “tens of thousands” has alarmed many business leaders and university bosses, who say the limit could damage Britain’s standing as a global commercial centre and its thriving further education sector.”

Left Foot Forward will have more reaction to the prime minister’s speech throughout the day.