An Asian man who was accused of calling Nick Griffin a “white bastard” as he drove past him was cleared yesterday of racially threatening behaviour.

The jury at Preston Crown Court dismissed the BNP leader’s claims that Tauriq Khalid, 23, then made a gesture with his hand as if threatening to shoot him.

The defendant, who admitted calling Mr Griffin a “f***ing w***er”, smiled in triumph as the jury returned their verdict after deliberating for 45 minutes at the end of a three-day trial. Mr Griffin described their decision as wrong.

The incident occurred last November, when Mr Griffin joined supporters outside Burnley police station in a protest against the arrest of four BNP sympathisers for distributing leaflets linking Muslim gangs to the heroin trade. Ian Metcalfe, for the prosecution, said that Mr Khalid was spotted driving past the demonstration several times.

It was suggested that on the second occasion he drove past at the wheel of his silver Vauxhall Astra shouting “white bastards”. It was alleged that he went farther by words or hand gesture to threaten Mr Griffin that he was going to shoot him or have him shot.

Mr Griffin, an MEP for the North West, who has an office in Burnley, took the threat so seriously that he took the advice of security staff and retreated to the safety of his car for half an hour.

In the witness box Mr Griffin, 50, recalled that the man had leant out of the car and pointed to him using a “gang gun gesture”. He said that the man shouted out: “Griffin, you bastard. I am going to . . .” He said that he did not catch the rest of the sentence but took it to mean that he was making a threat to kill or shoot him.

Mr Khalid admitted shouting derisory comments at the gaggle of BNP protesters. But he told the jury that he had used the words “Nick Griffin, you f***ing w***er” and made a V-sign. He also told him to “get the f*** out of Burnley”, telling him: “You are not welcome here.”

Mr Khalid looked happy with the result but refused to comment after the hearing.

Mr Griffin was disappointed. He said: “It is unfortunate. I think it is wrong but that is the jury’s right. They saw all the evidence and I have to accept their decision. I know that man threatened me without a shadow of a doubt but he, or his defence counsel, have managed to convince them otherwise.”

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