BNP leader Nick Griffin has been spotted rubbing shoulders with a notorious Ku Klux Klan fascist banned from Britain.

The far-right party leader met former KKK chief and American Nazi Party thug Stephen "Don" Black at racist conferences in the US.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith named the 55-year-old as one of 16 more extremists yesterday blocked from ever entering our shores.

The former KKK Grand Black Wizard was once jailed for trying to invade the Caribbean island of Dominica with mercenaries. But despite Black's criminal past, Griffin - who is standing in next month's European elections - was happy to be pictured alongside him.

Black, boss of hate-fuelled website Stormfront, was banned from Britain along with other hate preachers, Islamic extremists and far-right US talk show host Michael Weiner. Ms Smith said: "Coming to this country is a privilege.

"I refuse to extend that privilege to individuals who abuse our standards and values. I will not hesitate to name and shame those who foster extremist views as I want them to know they are not welcome here."

The UK banned list now includes more than 100 people. Islamic hate preacher Omar Bakri Mohammed, who now lives in Lebanon, is on it.

Griffin was pictured with Black at the American Renaissance conference in Washington DC in 2006.

BNP head of publicity Mark Collett and Leeds organiser Martin Reynolds were also present, as was Black's predecessor as KKK chief, David Duke.

The BNP said: "We shared a platform with these people, but it doesn't mean we share their beliefs. In fact, we were arguing for a sensible nationalism."

The Mirror's third Hope Not Hate bus campaign starts this month.

Our red double decker will tour Britain spreading an anti-racism message in the run-up to the June 4 European elections.