SDL to march through Edinburgh during festival

Scottish Defence League demonstrators pictured protesting outside the Scottish Parliament in December of last year. Picture: Jane Barlow

Edinburgh City Council said that it was safer to grant permission for the event instead of having an unofficial gathering in the capital.

The SDL had applied to the local authority to march down the Royal Mile to the Scottish Parliament on Saturday 17 August.

In recent years the presence of the SDL has sparked counter-protests from groups such as United Against Fascism.

The Royal Mile is typically packed with tourists and festival-goers throughout August and one city centre councillor describing the route as “madness”.

It is thought that SDL representatives agreed to reschedule earlier plans from August 24, which would have coincided with the Festival of Politics at Holyrood.

Councillor Joanna Mowat, who represents the city centre, said that she did not object to the march in principle, but that the route chosen was questionable.

“My view is, however objectionable they are, they are not an illegal group and it is easier to police them if you know where they are going to be”, she told The Scotsman.

“If the SDL came up to Edinburgh without permission we wouldn’t know where they are and it might cause trouble.

“However, the route is madness and I’m very concerned to hear it was approved. This will be very, very difficult route to police at that time of year so I find it astonishing.”

Councillor Gavin Barrie, convener of the city’s regulatory committee, which oversees public events, defended the decision and said that members of the group would be “subject to strict conditions”.

He said: “The Regulatory Committee has decided that it is in the interest of public safety to allow the Scottish Defence League’s procession to take place, subject to strict conditions.

“It was the view of the committee that a police controlled procession, rather than an unplanned, unofficial event would be less disruptive to the city. The committee’s decision to allow the procession in no way endorses the views of the SDL.”

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We note the decision of the regulatory committee, and we will liaise with the City of Edinburgh Council and with organisers as part of our preparations for the policing operation, which will focus on keeping people safe.”

The decision comes as a parade by the SDL in Glasgow this Saturday faces opposition by police.

The group is planning to hold a procession in the south side of Glasgow which was also planned to mark the month of racist murder victim Kriss Donald’s birthday.

Police Scotland has objected, citing a “significant risk of serious public disorder breaking out” as the event involving 50 participants in Pollokshields. The event would also coincide with Ramadan.

Glasgow City Council will make a final decision on Thursday.