Overview
- On October 21, the Metropolitan Police imposed Section 14(3) Public Order Act conditions barring the event anywhere in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
- The action was part of a UKIP “mass deportations tour” billed for Saturday, October 25, with organisers urging supporters to “reclaim Whitechapel from the Islamists,” and a significant counter-protest was expected.
- Police said there is a realistic prospect of serious disorder at the proposed location and highlighted disruption risks from two large gatherings on a key east London route.
- A sizeable police presence is planned on Saturday, with warnings that anyone breaching the conditions or encouraging others to do so will face arrest.
- UKIP condemned the move as a violation of protest rights and said it is reorganising the demonstration for another London location, while critics such as Lord Walney questioned the legality of a borough-wide restriction.