Tommy Robinson, EDL Leader, Charged Over Tower Hamlets March

EDL Leader Charged Over London March
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The leader of the English Defence League has been charged over a march by his group in London on Saturday.

Tommy Robinson was arrested as the far-right organisation protested against what they allege is the implementation of Sharia law in Tower Hamlets, one of Britain's biggest Muslim communities.

Robinson, charged under his real name, Stephen Yaxley Lennon, was accused of breaching section 14 of the Public Order Act 1986 and inciting others to do the same.

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Robinson at the march flanked by members of his security team

He has been bailed and will appear in court on 22 October.

The EDL were forbidden from entering the area after losing a high court battle on Friday so gathered around Tower Bridge instead.

Around 3,000 police officers were deployed to keep the peace between around 500 EDL members and "thousands" of demonstrators.

Fourteen other people, mainly EDL members, were arrested for various public order offences including possession of a pointed blade.

In addition, 286 people were arrested for breaching the conditions of the march.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "The vast majority of these 286 people were part of the counter demonstration."

They have all been bailed to central London police stations from October onwards.

The Metropolitan Police put strict conditions on the protest, which meant any march would be held at the outskirts of the borough and close to Tower Bridge.