MSP backs calls for ban on right-wing extremists’ march

The Scottish Defence League wants to hold the march in the Capital on September 10, the day before the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

In February last year there were five arrests made for public order offences during an SDL march along the Royal Mile. Several SNP and Labour politicians have urged the city council to refuse permission.

Ms Boyack said: “The people of Edinburgh will remember the violence that accompanied the SDL’s last visit to Edinburgh and will not stand for a repeat of those scenes.

“Edinburgh and the Lothians are home to a diverse population and at a time when we are welcoming visitors from across the globe for the festival it would send out the wrong message if the council were to accommodate this march.

“There is no place in a modern Scotland for the racist views that the SDL stand for. The timing of this march is clearly designed to stir up tensions around the anniversary of 9/11 and in light of the recent unrest in London and elsewhere I am concerned about the potential for public disorder.”