March by far-right set to go ahead in capital despite ban demands

Published on Wednesday 17 August 2011 22:30

A CONTROVERSIAL far-right group is set to win permission to stage a demo in Edinburgh after police chiefs said they had no objections to the Scottish Defence League being allowed to stage a parade - despite protests from politicians, trade unions and anti-racism organisations.

The group wants to march from near the American Embassy to the east end of Princes Street the day before the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in the United States.

Critics believe the group has deliberately chosen the date to inflame racial hatred and capitalise on recent publicity linking its sister group, the English Defence League, with Norwegian terrorist Anders Breivik.

The SDL has given Edinburgh City Council, which will rule on the application tomorrow, "freedom of speech" as the main reason for holding the event, which it expects to attract around 200 supporters.

Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill wants the protest banned, claiming the group is known to espouse "both racist and homophobic views" and expressing concern the march could pose a threat to public safety.

Local MSPS are also among those against the application.

Lothian and Borders Police has warned the local authority to consider the group's proposed demo "in the context" of the recent riots that flared across several English cities.

But it has effectively given the green light to the march, which will include a rally beside the statue of the Duke of Wellington, despite admitting the group's views are "controversial" and that a sizeable "opposition rally" is likely to be held.

Superintendent David Carradice has told the council he is confident the force can handle a demo by the SDL and any planned counter-demonstration, insisting it is used to catering for groups that want to "exercise their right to protest".

He said: "Whilst there can be no guarantees there will be no disruption to the daily business of the community, we are confident that, with the assistance of the council, an operation can be put into place to minimise such and thereby allow the SDL rally to go ahead and cater for an opposition rally too."

SNP councillor Rob Munn, chair of the regulatory commmittee, said it was not legally allowed to take into account criticism of the group's political stance, but could consider equalities and public safety issues.

Council officers have warned councillors must set out "clear reasons" for any decision it takes tomorrow, as the SDL has the right of a court appeal.

Mr Munn said: "I and the other committee members are well aware of the controversy around this issue and we will have to make our decision based on the information available to us. Whatever decision is taken, this proposed event will have been through the right channels and given proper consideration."Edinburgh Central SNP MSP Marco Biagi said it would be "ill-advised" of the council to approve the march.

"It is absolutely certain a counter-demonstration would be planned and a clash of the two demonstrations would have the ability to cause a serious public order issue."

Nina Giles, director of the Edinburgh and Lothians Racial Equality Council, said: "Given the recent riots in England, we fear that if the march is given the right to go ahead, it will give rise to opportunistic hijacking of the event for violent or other criminal activities."