News story

English Defence League march in Leicester banned

Theresa May today agreed to a ban on a planned English Defence League march in Leicester.

• From: Home Office and The Rt Hon Theresa May
• Published: 4 October 2010

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Leicester City Council asked for the march to be banned on public safety grounds after discussions with Leicestershire Police.

Today’s decision follows the banning of a march planned in Bradford city centre in August.

Public order maintained

A spokesperson for the Home Office said: ‘Having carefully balanced rights to protest against the need to ensure local communities and property are protected, the Home Secretary gave her consent to a Leicester City Council Order banning any marches in the city on October 9.

‘Leicestershire Constabulary are committed to using their powers to ensure communities and properties are protected and we encourage all local people to work with the police to ensure community cohesion is not undermined by public disorder.’

Despite the ban, groups could still hold static demonstrations in the city.

Read the Home Secretary’s letter to Leicester City Council.

Published 4 October 2010