LEADING members of the far-right English Defence League (EDL) have been banned from attending a planned march in Walthamstow after they were arrested at the weekend.


The EDL, which claims to be opposed to Islamic extremism but which critics say is racist, is due to hold a demonstration in the borough this Saturday (October 27).


But 53 of its hardcore members, including party leader Tommy Robinson, will not be allowed to attend after they were arrested on the M25 on Saturday (October 20).


Police stopped several vehicles containing the group on suspicion conspiracy to cause public nuisance, and bailed them on the condition that they do not protest anywhere in east London, including Walthamstow, for the next few weeks.


There are unconfirmed reports that the EDL supporters, all of them men, were heading to a "spontaneous" protest in Whitechapel.


A Met spokeswoman said: "the arrests formed part of an intelligence-led, pre-event investigation into a planned disturbance in east London on the same day.”


The earliest any of them will be allowed to demonstrate legally in east London is the end of November.


A statement on the EDL's website posted on Sunday (October 21) said Mr Robinson had also been arrested for assault and had been remanded in prison over separate charges relating to his possible extradition to the USA.
 

Meanwhile councillors from all three parties at Waltham Forest Council have unanimously backed a motion calling on the Home Secretary to ban the march on the grounds it will potentially cause public disorder, damage to property and disruption.


In addition, a petition signed by more than 2,000 people also demanding a ban, as part of the joint Waltham Forest - United. Strong. Together’ campaign by the council and Waltham Forest Guardian will be handed to the government tomorrow (Tuesday October 23).
 

It will be delivered in a fleet of buses, including a branded routemaster, by a delegation of school children, councillors and community representatives.


However the Met has said it does not support a ban because it has no intelligence to suggest a march would cause serious violence or disruption to the community.


The EDL has described the march as a “rematch” after its previous demonstration in Walthamstow in September ended in disarray when it was blocked by 3,000 counter-protesters.

Missiles were also thrown by both sides and 20 people were arrested.
 

The council plans to hold a family-friendly community funday this Saturday (October 27) in Walthamstow town centre to celebrate the borough's multiculturalism.


The We Are Waltham Forest and Unite Against Fascism groups also plan to hold a rally in the same location.


The route of the EDL's march has yet to be revealed.


The Guardian is awaiting for a comment from the Home Office and Waltham Forest Police.