The English Defence League (EDL) have been banned from marching at a protest scheduled for this Saturday in Walthamstow and were also banned from holding a static demonstration in an unprecedented move by the Metropolitan Police.

The group had announced a march in Walthamstow for Saturday the 26th October 2012 to show and show the Innocence of Muslims film that has caused widespread protest and anger in the Middle East.

A conglomerate of Muslim organisations had announced a counter protest and vowed to stop the trailer for ‘Innocence for Muslims’ being shown on a large screen. However, acting on the fact the EDL have been banned and receiving written assurance from the Metropolitan Police, the group has decided to cancel the scheduled counter protest.

Chief Spokesman of the group Syed Mazhar Gillani stated “ We greatly welcome the decision made by the Home Secretary and the Metropolitan Police, We thank our local councillors and MPs for their immense efforts in helping to ban this disgustful protest against all that is good. We have decided on the basis of the assurances received and efforts made by the government that we will call off the counter protest against the EDL scheduled for this weekend. I also take this opportunity to pay tribute to the thousands of Muslims who had pledged to give up their precious holiday of Eid Ul Adha and be here to uphold the sanctity of Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH. We do not wish that any unnecessary costs are incurred to the police and government, as such we have taken the step of cancelling the counter protest. It is a moment of great joy for the good public of the United Kingdom, that good has triumphed over evil and extremism.

The counter demonstration protest was expected to have thousands attend from all over the UK via coaches and cars said organisers.