An injunction application to ban the leaders of Britain First from Luton for a year has been dismissed by the High Court this morning.
The decision means that both Paul Golding and Jayda Fransen will be able to lead the far-right group for its demonstration through the town tomorrow.
Beds Police contends that the protest will be “highly provocative” and could cause “major disruption and serious public disorder”.
However an interim injunction against the pair has been handed down, which bans Golding and Fransen from publishing or distributing material which is “likely to stir up religious and/or racial hatred” and from behaving in a way that would cause “harassment, alarm or distress” for a period of 12 months.
The pair are also prevented from entering any mosque or Islamic centre without written permission.
Finally the injunction also stops the pair from carrying or displaying a banner or sign with ‘No More Mosques’ or wording to that effect during tomorrow’s demonstration.
The injunction given police powers of arrest if any of these terms are broken.
A full hearing will be held at a later date.
Chief superintendent David Boyle said: “This injunction was sought due to concerns that their presence in Luton could increase the possibility of disorder and anti-social behaviour in the town.
“The terms which have been agreed today give us greater power to ensure that order is kept in the town during the demonstration.
“I would like to be clear that it was never our intention to ban any demonstration and we will always facilitate peaceful protest where possible. “We have a policing plan in place to ensure we meet the needs of those wishing to demonstrate.”
Prior to the hearing Golding told his followers that an injunction could mean the end of Britain First.
He said: “Unless we raise the funds to secure capable legal representation by Friday we will be torn apart in the High Court and the result will be nothing less than the end of Britain First.
“No second chances, no last minute miracles, Britain First will collapse and cease to exist. It is a desperate and outrageous attempt to sabotage our Luton march and cripple Britain First in one go– using taxpayers’ money of course.”
> On Saturday Britain First will assemble in Midland Road outside Luton Train Station at 1pm, then proceed along High Town Road, turn right into Burr Street, right into Hitchin Road and Church Street then right into Guildford Street before finishing on land adjacent to Bute Street ‘shoppers’ car park.
Bute Street car park will remain open for people to use.