A MEETING of far right leaders from across Europe at Thornton Hall Hotel and Spa has sparked controversy.

Bosses at the hotel claim they were ‘tricked’ into hosting BNP leader Nick Griffin and others on Tuesday, July 24, under the name European Social Political and Economic Research Establishment.

They insisted the event would not have been allowed to go ahead if they had known who the members of the group were.

BNP activists were joined by counterparts from the continent including convicted Holocaust denier Bruno Gollnisch from the French Front National and Marc Abramsson from the Swedish far right National Democrats.

The hotel took its Facebook page offline after a barrage of comments from people criticising the move and urging others to boycott the hotel.

Mike Thompson wrote: “I just complained, was very polite, but they put the phone down on me twice. When I asked them if they were putting a stop to the event, I was told that it was none of my business.

“I politely pointed out if she did want any of my business in the future, they would end it now.”

Ben Powell, Labour councillor for St Paul’s, tweeted: “Saddened that Nick Griffin and his fascist pals from across Europe are gathered at Thornton Hall Hotel on the Wirral.”

Eileen McChrystal added on Facebook: “Asked to speak to manager, they got really quite flustered – when I said I wanted my displeasure noted, then got quite shirty & said it wasn’t Thornton Hall?!!!! Ha ha!”

Tom Forbes said: “I just rang through to arrange a corporate booking, for 350. Got through to the sales representative in charge, got a couple of details, then explained I would not be using them due to the BNP meeting.”

‘FraserM1972’ took to Tripadvisor to urge people to boycott the hotel: “If you do not have sympathies with the right wing, please avoid this hotel.”

A hotel spokeswoman said staff did not know the booking would involve members of the BNP and fascist parties.

She said: “On this occasion, we received a booking on behalf of the European Social Political and Economic Research Establishment.

“The identities of the delegates were not revealed to us until the guests arrived on the day, at which stage we were bound by a contractual arrangement.

“We have a strong duty of care to our guests, staff and the local community and we ensured that the event caused no disruption.

“Thornton Hall Hotel would never knowingly allow an event of this nature to take place and we regret any offence or distress caused or taken by the presence of this conference.”

Merseyside Police confirmed officers attended as a precaution but the conference passed without incident.