News / International
Nelson Mandela is a 'murdering old terrorist', says British politician
10 Jun 2013 at 10:10hrs | Views
British National Party head Nick Griffin has made a nasty and vicious attack on ailing former South African President Nelson Mandela branding him an "old terrorist".
BNP leader Nick Griffin has sparked outrage with a series of tweets branding Nelson Mandela a "murdering old terrorist".
The far-right politician also mocked the 94-year-old former South African president's lung condition.
He wrote: "Saint #nelsonmandela on last legs it seems. Make sure to avoid BBC when the murdering old terrorist croaks. It'll be nauseating.
"'Statesmen' must be judged on results not rhetoric. Before Mandela, South Africa was safe economic powerhouse. Now crime ridden basket case.
"No surprise #Mandela's lungs are shot - all those burning tyres. Smoking necklaces very bad for the health."
Mandela's family gathered at his bedside on Saturday night after he was taken to hospital with a serious lung infection.
He is suffering from a recurrence of the condition which has put him in hospital three times since December .
Mandela served 27 years of a life sentence in prisons including the infamous Robben Island for sabotage and conspiracy against the oppressive South African Apartheid regime.
He was released in 1990 and was elected president of South Africa four years later in the country's first free and fair elections.
Many people took to Twitter to criticise Griffin's comments.
Peter Hain, the South Africa-raised former Labour minister and hardline anti-Apartheid campaigner, tweeted that it was a "nasty vicious attack".
Ruth Rosenau, a Labour councillor in Stoke-on-Trent, tweeted: "#Mandela - a towering figure in world history & an inspiration to millions. Nick Griffin - what will you be remembered for?"
Bob Woods, who tweeted from BrummyTaff, said: "#NickGriffin Insults #Mandela & shows what a small minded odious irrelevant little man he is. Not fit to tie his laces."
The South African presidency released a statement on Saturday morning expressing concern for Madiba, who was rushed to a Pretoria hospital overnight because of a recurring lung infection. In the statement, presidency spokesperson Mac Maharaj said that Mandela's condition was "serious but stable".
It was not long before heads of state, politicians and political parties around the world shared their concerns and well wishes for Madiba with the Twitterverse.
Nick Griffin MEP @nickgriffinmep
Saint #nelsonmandela on last legs it seems. Make sure to avoid BBC when the murdering old terrorist croaks. It'll be nauseating.
9:23 AM - 8 Jun 2013
Nick Griffin MEP @nickgriffinmep
'Statesmen' must be judged on results not rhetoric. Before Mandela, South Africa was safe economic powerhouse. Now crime ridden basket case.
9:34 AM - 8 Jun 2013
Sipho Hlongwane @comradesipho
Who asked that cumstain Nick Griffin for his opinion?
1:18 PM - 8 Jun 2013
Marie Straub @merrystrwberry
Someone tell @nickgriffinmep to worry about England. When we want his thoughts on our country or statesmen we'll ask. In the interim, jog on
1:16 PM - 8 Jun 2013
Mike Hillier @MikeHillier
Everytime I'm reminded of @nickgriffinmep's tweets. I send another spam report. There is no bigger dickhead in the UK.
11:30 AM - 8 Jun 2013
Chris Taylor @the_itch1980
Nick Griffin is vile. How does he not get filled in daily?
12:34 PM - 8 Jun 2013
BNP leader Nick Griffin has sparked outrage with a series of tweets branding Nelson Mandela a "murdering old terrorist".
The far-right politician also mocked the 94-year-old former South African president's lung condition.
He wrote: "Saint #nelsonmandela on last legs it seems. Make sure to avoid BBC when the murdering old terrorist croaks. It'll be nauseating.
"'Statesmen' must be judged on results not rhetoric. Before Mandela, South Africa was safe economic powerhouse. Now crime ridden basket case.
"No surprise #Mandela's lungs are shot - all those burning tyres. Smoking necklaces very bad for the health."
Mandela's family gathered at his bedside on Saturday night after he was taken to hospital with a serious lung infection.
He is suffering from a recurrence of the condition which has put him in hospital three times since December .
Mandela served 27 years of a life sentence in prisons including the infamous Robben Island for sabotage and conspiracy against the oppressive South African Apartheid regime.
He was released in 1990 and was elected president of South Africa four years later in the country's first free and fair elections.
Many people took to Twitter to criticise Griffin's comments.
Peter Hain, the South Africa-raised former Labour minister and hardline anti-Apartheid campaigner, tweeted that it was a "nasty vicious attack".
Ruth Rosenau, a Labour councillor in Stoke-on-Trent, tweeted: "#Mandela - a towering figure in world history & an inspiration to millions. Nick Griffin - what will you be remembered for?"
Bob Woods, who tweeted from BrummyTaff, said: "#NickGriffin Insults #Mandela & shows what a small minded odious irrelevant little man he is. Not fit to tie his laces."
The South African presidency released a statement on Saturday morning expressing concern for Madiba, who was rushed to a Pretoria hospital overnight because of a recurring lung infection. In the statement, presidency spokesperson Mac Maharaj said that Mandela's condition was "serious but stable".
It was not long before heads of state, politicians and political parties around the world shared their concerns and well wishes for Madiba with the Twitterverse.
Nick Griffin MEP @nickgriffinmep
Saint #nelsonmandela on last legs it seems. Make sure to avoid BBC when the murdering old terrorist croaks. It'll be nauseating.
9:23 AM - 8 Jun 2013
Nick Griffin MEP @nickgriffinmep
'Statesmen' must be judged on results not rhetoric. Before Mandela, South Africa was safe economic powerhouse. Now crime ridden basket case.
9:34 AM - 8 Jun 2013
Sipho Hlongwane @comradesipho
Who asked that cumstain Nick Griffin for his opinion?
1:18 PM - 8 Jun 2013
Marie Straub @merrystrwberry
Someone tell @nickgriffinmep to worry about England. When we want his thoughts on our country or statesmen we'll ask. In the interim, jog on
1:16 PM - 8 Jun 2013
Mike Hillier @MikeHillier
Everytime I'm reminded of @nickgriffinmep's tweets. I send another spam report. There is no bigger dickhead in the UK.
11:30 AM - 8 Jun 2013
Chris Taylor @the_itch1980
Nick Griffin is vile. How does he not get filled in daily?
12:34 PM - 8 Jun 2013
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