London , England -- Britain 's Queen Elizabeth II withdrew the invitation of a far-right politician to her garden party Thursday after he `` blatantly politicized '' it , Buckingham Palace said . Nick Griffin , the controversial leader of the British National Party , was among thousands of guests due to attend one of the queen 's three annual summer garden parties at Buckingham Palace . He was invited because he is an elected member of the European Parliament -- and disinvited because his politicizing the invitation `` increased the security threat and the potential discomfort '' to other guests , Buckingham Palace said . The palace said Griffin `` overtly used his personal invitation for party political purposes through the media . '' The BNP leader called the withdrawal of the invitation an `` attack on democracy , the media , freedom of speech and one million British patriots . '' He said the reason given for the reversal was `` invented nonsense '' and that citing `` natural media interest '' in him to cancel the invitation was `` a disgusting disregard for democracy in Britain . '' And he warned that `` blatant attempts at gagging the BNP always backfires ( sic ) . '' Griffin posted the statement on the BNP website and e-mailed it to supporters as a fundraising solicitation . He had said a day earlier that he would be attending the party `` for the 1 million British patriots who now vote for this party despite all the hate from the media liars , the old parties and their thuggish far-left allies . '' He asked readers of the BNP website for their suggestions about what he should say to the Queen `` if -- presumably due to some ghastly blunder by a courtier -- I actually meet her ? '' Griffin was elected to the European Parliament last year along with another BNP member . It was the first time members of the far-right party had won European elections . He campaigned for a seat in Britain 's parliament earlier this year -- hoping to become the first British National Party member of Parliament -- but he came in third in his constituency . The possibility that Griffin would attend a royal garden party last year caused outrage . Another BNP member who had been invited said he would bring Griffin as a guest , but Griffin said he would not attend following the outcry . Griffin was convicted of inciting racial hatred in 1998 , a London court official said . He was ordered to serve nine months in prison , a sentence that was suspended for two years , the court official added . He was elected leader of the BNP the following year and re-elected in 2007 , according to the party . Queen Elizabeth hosts at least three garden parties every summer at Buckingham Palace as a way to reward and recognize public service . About 8,000 people attend each one , the palace says . People are invited on the recommendation of local and national organizations , which are given a quota of tickets , the palace explained . CNN 's Lianne Turner and Melissa Gray contributed to this report .
NEW : Nick Griffin calls the ban an attack on democracy and uses it for fundraising . The British National Party leader `` blatantly politicized '' his invitation , Buckingham Palace says . He asked readers of his website what he should say to the queen if , by some `` blunder , '' he met her . He was convicted of inciting racial hatred but his sentence was suspended .