THE far-right English Defence League (EDL) has been told it can protest outside Parliament this weekend in a bid to keep its members away from Walthamstow - as the government approves a ban on all marches.

The group, which claims to be a "movement" opposed to Islamic extremism but which critics says is racist, had wanted to hold a demonstration in the borough this Saturday (October 27).

But the Metropolitan Police applied to the government for a ban after it received "specific intelligence" that there could be violence and disruption.

As widely expected Minister for Policing Damian Green has this afternoon now approved the plans to stop any marches in Waltham Forest, Tower Hamlets, Newham and Islington for the next 30 days.

However both the EDL and counter-protesters vowed to come to Walthamstow and hold static demonstrations.

In a statement this afternoon the council and MPs said police would only allow the EDL to hold a static protest outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster.

But a Home Office spokeswoman said there were no legal powers to ban static protests, except on private property.

The Guardian is awaiting clarification from the Met into what type of protests, if any, will be allowed in Waltham Forest this weekend.

Council leader Cllr Chris Robbins and the borough's MPs, Stella Creasy, John Cryer and Iain Duncan Smith, issued a joint statement urging residents to stay away from all proposed protests.

They said: “The Police are very clear that the ban applies to any group, not just the EDL, and our primary concern is the safety of ordinary residents who have been caught up in this ongoing nightmare.

“We understand that the Metropolitan Police has told the EDL that they can only carry out a static protest outside the House of Commons on Saturday 27 October – ensuring that the far-right group does not enter Waltham Forest.

“We call on everyone who had planned to demonstrate, especially those who have no connection to this borough, to stay away and allow the community to get back to normal.”

Yesterday Waltham Forest borough commander Chief Superintendent Mark Collins also urged the public to stay away from counter demonstrations and said they could make the situation worse.

He said officers would quickly contain any EDL supporters in Walthamstow and allow them to have a short static protest before moving on.

But campaigners from We Are Waltham Forest and Unite Against Fascism urged the public to come out in force to Walthamstow town centre on Saturday (October 27).

We Are Waltham Forest spokeswoman Jo Cardwell said: "We are about unity and we are peacefully and rightly protesting.

"It's a disgrace that as local people we are being told that we can't walk through our own streets to defend our community."

More than 5,000 signed a petition calling for the EDL march to be banned as part of a joint campaign by Waltham Forest Council and The Guardian.

Minister for Policing Damian Green said in a statement: "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.

"I know the Metropolitan Police are committed to using their powers to ensure communities and properties are protected.”