The Vlaams Blok, (or Flemish Bloc) have been invited to bring a delegation to Scotland. The Vlaams Bloc are a racist anti-immigration party based around Antwerp and Ghent. After consulting the Foreign Office (‘Dear Foreign Office, we’re the Scottish Parliament and we’re abit thick. Just how bad are these Flems? Are they out and out fascists or just far-right-wing nutters?’) – functionaries in the Scottish Parliament recently okayed the visit.

They’re due to visit Edinburgh on 11th September.

But while the politicians feel constrained by Euro-Etiquette we don’t need to be cowed by the conventions of parliamentary niceties. Vlaams Block are a racist and fascist organisation and should be given a special welcome.

The Welsh Assembly recently refused to welcome a delegation including Vlaams Blok members and the stronger-powered Scottish Parliament could easily have followed their example.

The Presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament, George Reid missed the point when he said: "All the MPs are elected in a free and democratic vote. Members of the Scottish Parliament would object strongly if another legislature tried to determine our delegations. I am confident that Labour, Liberal, Conservative and Green MSPs will wish to meet their opposite numbers. Whether members wish to meet the Vlaams Blok representative is entirely up to them."

The Vlaams Blok is a hardline nationalist group with active backing from the French National Front. It’s into cultural protectionism and wants immigrants to be forced to learn Flemish. Led by the ‘charismatic’ Filip Dewinter it’s part of a wider rise of the far-right across Europe given respectability by the trappings of power. But suits and offices can’t disguise their dirty racist policies.

WATCH THIS SPACE FOR DETAILS OF HOW TO OPOSE THEIR VISIT. NO PLATFORM FOR RACISTS!