Nick Griffin, the leader of the British National Party, is poised to become a key figure in the creation of a new far-right group in the European Parliament.

Fears are growing he will be at the centre of a wave of victories in next month's elections that would give nationalist parties a firm foothold in Europe.

Searchlight, the international anti-fascist magazine, has suggested they could pass the threshold of 25 MEPs from seven countries necessary to form a European Parliament grouping entitled to public funding worth up to £1 million per year.

The SNP has launched its European election campaign with a pledge to protect Scottish jobs and boost economic recovery.

Party leader and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond set out his stall at a renewable energy company in Edinburgh's Leith area.

He said his was the only party offering a strong voice for Scotland in Europe.

The Green Party offers voters an alternative to parties which are "mired in sleaze", it has said at the launch of its Euro election campaign.

The party is promising to create a million new jobs in green industries...[as well as]...an £44bn investment programme to boost employment in sustainable industries.