Home Office bans marches in Walthamstow to stop EDL demo

The Home Office confirmed on Thursday that any marches in Walthamstow on Saturday had been banned, as they granted the request made by the Metropolitan Police to prevent a potentially troublesome demonstration by the English Defence League.

Policing Minister Damian Green said:

"Having carefully considered the legal tests and balanced rights to protest against the need to ensure local communities and property are protected, I have given my consent to a ban on all marches in Waltham Forest and three nearby boroughs for a 30-day period."

Despite the ban on a moving protest, it is thought that the controversial group will still gather in the town to hold a static protest. UAF and We Are Waltham Forest have also pledged to go ahead with a static demo in opposition to the EDL.

The increase in violent and threatening rhetoric follows the arrest of over 50 members of the far-right group, including leader Tommy Robinson, who has been remanded in custody until January, and right-hand-man Kevin Carroll.