Tower Hamlets mayor calls for ‘legal block’ on Britain First after it picketed East London Mosque

Police and Muslim leaders have been in talks with the Mayor of Tower Hamlets to try and block the right-wing Britain First group returning to London’s East End.

March 2016... Picket by British First activists outside East London Mosque in [photo: Oliver Impey] - Credit: Oliver Impey

Mayor John Biggs met representatives of the East London Mosque and the Metropolitan Police yesterday to find legal ways of stopping right-wing extremists who twice picketed Whitechapel’s big Muslim centre last month, which he says intimidated worshippers and raised community tensions.

“I want action to prevent violence coming to our streets,” the mayor said.

“We have agreed to pursue legal channels to stop Britain First and other groups returning.

“Their hatred and division has no place in the East End—our Muslim community feels threatened by their provocative actions.”

The council is pursuing a Community Protection Notice, introduced by Parliament in 2014, which would block activity that has “a detrimental effect on quality of life”.

The mayor is also calling for stronger police action to tackle “racist provocations” and is considering what legal powers are available to block further activity by extremist groups.