Two leaders of the English Defence League (EDL) have been charged with obstructing police officers in east London. The men allegedly tried to defy a ban on marching to the scene of the murder of soldier Lee Rigby via a major mosque.

Tommy Robinson, 30, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court earlier. His co-leader Kevin Carroll was also charged after answering police bail. Both men are due to appear at the same court on 11 September.

They were arrested on suspicion of obstructing officers outside Aldgate East Tube station on 29 June. The pair, both from Luton, were attempting to stage what they claimed was a charity walk to Woolwich Barracks in south-east London via the East London Mosque, in breach of police restrictions put in place to avoid “serious public disorder and serious disruption to the life of the community”.

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English Defence League protesting outside the Skegness abattoir last month

Speculation regarding the possible closure of a Skegness abattoir has been circulating the town after several notices from a bailiff company were seen pinned on the building.

However, a member of management for the halal slaughterhouse has claimed business will be “back to normal” tomorrow. “There was a dispute with the landlord. It’s all sorted now; we will be working and back on Wednesday,” said Mr Patel for Premier Halal Ltd.

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The leader of a fascist group has said there will be another protest. Mickey Bayliss [pictured], the English Defence League’s regional organiser for the south west, has announced another march against a Muslim school will take place in Portsmouth.

The call for a second protest comes after Mr Bayliss was unhappy with what Portsmouth City Council leader, Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, said after the weekend’s protest. Cllr Vernon-Jackson said it was unacceptable that fireworks were thrown during a supposedly peaceful protest.

Mr Bayliss said: “The council cannot not tell us what we can or cannot do. We have the freedom to do what we want and we will be holding another march this weekend. We will not be announcing when or where and we will not be co-ordinating with the police. The march will be against the Madani Academy again as well as the council.”

Portsmouth News, 20 August 2013

Eye-witnesses have told how they watched in horror as a supporter of the English Defence League attacked a man promoting multiculturalism during a march through Hull city centre.

Shoppers and families enjoying a Saturday afternoon in the city centre watched helplessly as the EDL supporter broke free from police ranks to attack the man outside St Stephen’s shopping centre in Ferensway.

The EDL marcher had to be dragged off the man, who had blood pouring from his head and his face, while children were playing on a funfair ride just yards away. He was wrestled to the ground by police while shoppers and passers by rushed to the aid of the injured man before he was led away in handcuffs, screaming abuse.

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