Nick Griffin, the leader of the BNP, was present in Wootton Bassett high street today as the coffins of six soldiers passed through the town after their repatriation from Afghanistan.

Wearing a black coat adorned with a poppy, the MEP stood with a minder opposite family and friends of the fallen soldiers.

“It’s been very low key, I’ve been talking to many people and it’s been very friendly,” said Mr Griffin, who was accused by army leaders last month of trying to hijack the patriotic feelings of voters about the armed forces.

His presence attracted an angry reaction among some members of the crowd lining the streets.

“He should not be here,” said Ira, a 49-year-old woman who works for a charity settling refugees.

“This is about families, not political leaders. He should not be anywhere near here. He is just doing it for the limelight. It takes the focus off the locals and the families.

“There should be a lynch mob for him. There used to be stocks here – I say bring back the stocks for him.”

Ellie Gilmore, 24, a carer for Swindon Council, said: “I don’t agree with his views, but he is still a human being and has got as much right to come here and support our troops as anyone else. But if he uses it for his party, Wootton Bassett will not be impressed, and I certainly won’t be.”

Last month Mr Griffin was accused by Britain's military top brass of attempting to hijack the struggle and sacrifice of the armed forces to promote his own political ends.

General Sir Mike Jackson and General Sir Richard Dannatt, the former heads of the Army, Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank, former Chief of the Defence Staff, and Major-General Patrick Cordingley, commander of the Desert Rats in the Gulf War, all signed a letter demanding Mr Griffin stop trying to wrap himself in the flag.

“We call on all those who seek to hijack the good name of Britain’s military for their own advantage to cease and desist,” they wrote. “The values of these extremists — many of whom are essentially racist — are fundamentally at odds with the values of the modern British military, such as tolerance and fairness.”

They added: “Political extremists should claim no right to share in this proud heritage.”

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