Far right group rally banned in Edinburgh

A far right group will not be allowed to march in Edinburgh on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist atrocity.

The Scottish Defence League wanted to rally in the capital's east end. However, Edinburgh City Council backed opponents who said the gathering would be a threat to public safety.

The Scottish Defence League (SDL) is an offshoot of the English Defence League which has been associated with trouble at gatherings south of the border. That group was cited by Norwegian gunman Anders Breivik as an organisation he admired.

About 50 SDL supporters held a rally in Edinburgh last year. They were outnumbered by 2,000 counter protesters marching under the banner of Scotland United.

The SDL notified the council they intended to march from near the American Embassy to the east end of Princes Street on 10 September. The decision to turn down the proposal was made by members of the council's licensing committee on Friday over fears of public disorder.

More than 3,000 people died after two jets crashed into the two World trade Center building in New York on 11 September, 2001.

BBC