I’ve been in active and regular contact with the City Council and police since the English Defence League announced their intention to march in Leicester. Now that the EDL have applied to Leicestershire Constabulary to march in the city on Saturday 9th October, I am strongly urging the Council to apply to the Home Secretary for a ban.

I am proud to be a Member of Parliament for one of the most diverse cities in Britain.
The EDL cannot and will not affect Leicester’s long history of community cohesion which the City Council, voluntary, community and faith groups, local public services and businesses have worked hard to build and maintain.

I also fully support plans for a peaceful event that will show that the vast majority of people in Leicester are strong and united in their opposition to racism and discrimination of all forms and that the EDL is not welcome here.