THE British National Party is an "appalling bunch of racist thugs" who are a "threat to our country", David Cameron told The Star.
The Tory leader called on mainstream political parties to present a united front against the far-right party.
Speaking at the Tory Party conference, Mr Cameron pledged Conservative candidates would pound the country's streets and housing estates t
o persuade "disaffected" people not to turn to the BNP. The BNP won their first seats in South Yorkshire's history in May. The former Mayor of Rotherham Allan Jackson was unseated by the BNP candidate John Gamble, who is now the councillor for Brinsworth and Catcliffe, and after a recount the BNP won the Maltby ward with Will Blair toppling Labour's Glyn Barry Robinson.
Mr Cameron told The Star it is up to all political parties to stand up to the BNP and said: "I see the BNP as a threat to our country. They are an appalling bunch of racist thugs and it is incumbent on all parties - Conservative, Labour and Liberals - to make sure we campaign so hard, represent people so well, work our streets and housing estates and council terraces so well, that we don't leave any room for people to feel disaffected and turning to the BNP."
But Marlene Guest, spokeswoman for the British National Party in Rotherham, hit back by calling Mr Cameron "an educated pillock".
She said: "Neither Labour nor the Conservatives are addressing the issues that are really worrying the people of Britain. People are really worried about the amount of immigrants here and the Government should prioritise the indigenous population.
"David Cameron doesn't have to live with these people and he doesn't have to worry about them draining the NHS as he can just go private.
"He's saying all this because he can see the BNP's vote is rising and he is worried the Conservatives are going to lose."
The BNP went ahead with a meeting in Sheffield in July despite being forced to change venue at the eleventh hour.
Members were originally due to meet at Southey Social Club but, after consultation with councillors, MPs, police and concerned members of the public, the club cancelled the event. The meeting went ahead in a secret location which the BNP said will be used again.
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The full article contains 425 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.