THE leader of the British National Party was bailed after appearing in Leeds Magistrates' Court charged with four race hate offences.

Nick Griffin, 45, was charged by West Yorkshire Police following a long-running investigation into the BBC documentary The Secret Agent, which secretly filmed BNP activists.

No plea was entered in relation to four counts of using words or behaviour intended or likely to stir up racial hatred.

The father-of-four was joined in the dock yesterday by the party's founder, John Tyndall, 70, who is charged with two of the same offences.

Both men were granted unconditional bail and ordered to appear at Leeds on May 19.