The British National Party, a white nationalist party, is taking a page from the American right and claiming the mantle of God's party.

The BNP has produced an election poster bearing a passage from John's gospel and a traditional image of Jesus.

"What would Jesus do?" it asks, and then supplies the answer - "vote BNP".

The party has recently stepped up its efforts to present itself as a staunch defender of Christianity and recently set up what it called the Christian Council of Britain, under the leadership of the Reverend Robert West, a clergyman with an independent church.