Scotland Yard has banned an upcoming UKIP march in east London over fears that it would provoke the local Muslim community.
A senior Met officer said it was likely there could be “clashes” if UKIP’s ‘Walk with Jesus’ went ahead in Whitechapel, Tower Hamlets, on January 31
UKIP responded by saying: ‘The Met Police have once again showed they are controlled by the Islamists.’
This is the second time that the police has banned a UKIP event in recent months.
The Telegraph reports: The Met said while the march would be permitted to go ahead at a different location, it would be “reckless” to allow it to happen in Whitechapel, given the risk of violence and disorder.
In October, a large group of men in balaclavas from the local Bangladeshi community took to the streets in Tower Hamlets, pledging to “defend their community”.
The counter-protest prompted Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, to describe it as one of the most “terrifying things” he had ever seen.
The police ban then led Ukip to redirect the rally to a route through west London, finishing at Marble Arch. At the time, the party accused the police of “caving in to Islamists” and “violating their democratic right to assembly”.
Ukip – or the UK Independence Party – is a Right-leaning political organisation that rose to prominence during the Brexit referendum, where it took the stance that Britain needed to leave the EU to maintain stricter immigration controls.
Outlining the Met’s decision to prevent the January 31 march taking place, Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman said it was largely down to the risk of a “hostile reaction” from the local community and the possibility of “serious violence, disruption and disorder”.
Mr Harman said: “There was a sight of hundreds of young men dressed all in black, with hoods up and masks on and we understand that was a striking image, and we understand someone has found that intimidating.
“But on their own, that group were not committing any offences. Should that take place again, we will obviously watch closely, and we will deal with any criminality.”
The planned Ukip demonstration was due to take place in Whitechapel, an area with one of largest Muslim populations in the UK.
Adverts posted on social media describe the demonstration as a “Christian march”, telling people to: “Join our parade in Whitechapel worshipping Jesus Christ on January 31, the month dedicated to the holy name of Jesus.”
But the Met Police said the risk of disorder was too great to allow the event to take place and have banned it using powers under the Public Order Act.