Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe has come out in favour of a ban on the march.

He said: “Our city is not perfect and it faces many challenges. But to face those challenges we need our city’s traditional values of tolerance, respect and community to be our guiding lights.

“We do not want and we do not welcome extremists of any persuasion to our city.

“The proposed march by the English Democratic League (EDL) is not a legitimate protest march; it is not being organised by local people raising genuine concerns. It is an invasion of our city by thugs whose aim is to bring fear and hatred to the streets of Bradford.

“I do not savour the prospect of asking the Home Secretary to ban this march. In a democracy we should all have the right to freely assemble and demonstrate. However, democracy also brings with it responsibilities as well as rights.”

And referring to the concerns about violence, he added the people planning the rally in Bradford have shown no responsibility to the people of Bradford.

“I will be working with my fellow MPs, local political leaders, Bradford Together and the Telegraph & Argus to help promote the campaign among the people of Bradford; to get as many ordinary Bradfordians to sign the petition against the march, to demonstrate to the Home Secretary the strength of feeling against this invasion of hatred.

“Please do what you can to help the campaign buy signing the petition and by getting your family, friends and neighbours to do the same. Together, the people of Bradford will stop this march of hate.”