EDL Leader Charged

The leader of the Luton-based English Defence League has been charged by police over his role in a controversial march in east London.

The march on Saturday 7 September 2013 was prevented from going through the centre of one of Britain's biggest Muslim communities.

Scotland Yard said 300 people were arrested during a day of protests by the EDL and counter demonstration by anti-fascist groups.

The EDL had lost a High Court battle over where they are allowed to demonstrate.

They had wanted to rally in an area in Tower Hamlets which they say is ''subject to Sharia law'', but Judge Mr Justice King ruled that a police decision to impose restrictions over fears of ''serious public disorder'' was reasonable and proportionate.

EDL leader Tommy Robinson, 30, (pictured) faces two public order charges - failing to comply with the law and inciting illegal public assembly - and was bailed to appear at Thames Magistrates' Court on 22 October 2013.

He was charged under his real name, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.

Some 14 people were arrested for various offences including violent disorder and criminal damage.

In addition, 286 people were arrested for breaching the conditions of the march.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "The vast majority of these 286 people were part of the counter demonstration.''

They have all been bailed to central London police stations from October onwards.

The Metropolitan Police put strict conditions on the protest, which meant any march would be held at the outskirts of the borough and close to Tower Bridge.