City leader: Anti-Muslim march plans 'offensive and ill-informed'

EDINBURGH'S council leader has launched an outspoken attack on the organisers of a right-wing anti-Muslim group planning to march through the capital next month.

The Scottish Defence League has failed to apply for permission to the council for its planned protest, which is already facing a huge counter-demonstration.

Jenny Dawe has issued a hard-hitting statement condemning the prospect of the SDL taking to the city's streets, branding them "ill-informed and offensive".

She said such groups were "inexorably entwined with the politics of fear, promoting ignorance and hatred, tapping into football hooligan networks and raising community tensions".

The SDL, an offshoot of the English Defence League, was behind a march in Glasgow in November, which saw violent confrontations between marchers and protesters.

Although the SDL has circulated an e-mail naming 20 February in Edinburgh for its next demonstration, it has refused to seek permission from the council for a parade and has not been involved in talks with Lothian and Borders Police.

The date chosen by the group coincides with a Hearts match at Tynecastle, fuelling fears that the SDL is trying to attract football casuals to its protests.

Ms Dawe said: "I am sure many citizens and other political parties in Edinburgh share my concerns at the growth in far-right extremism across the UK and Europe. Their stance is wholly in contrast to the values of our city, which are based on liberty, equality and community."

A spokeswoman for the council said yesterday: "We currently have no requests in from any group to hold a march on 20 February. As they have to give 28 days' notice, today is the last day they can submit an application."

A police spokesman said: "We are aware of the possibility of a demonstration taking place."