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English Defence League leader condemns attacks on Muslims English Defence League leader condemns attacks on Muslims
(about 4 hours later)
The leader of the English Defence League has said he "utterly condemns" attacks on Muslims. The leader of the English Defence League has told the BBC he "utterly condemns" attacks on Muslims.
Tommy Robinson denied claims his group had firebombed an Islamic community centre in London, where the letters EDL were sprayed on the building.Tommy Robinson denied claims his group had firebombed an Islamic community centre in London, where the letters EDL were sprayed on the building.
He told the BBC the graffiti could have been placed there to make it look as if the group was responsible. He admitted some of its tactics were "completely questionable", but said "working class people" had no choice.
The Muslim Women's Network UK said it had seen a rise in verbal abuse and intimidation since the Woolwich murder.
Mr Robinson was speaking after six men were jailed for planning to bomb an EDL rally in West Yorkshire.Mr Robinson was speaking after six men were jailed for planning to bomb an EDL rally in West Yorkshire.
The men, who all lived in or near Birmingham, were each jailed for more than 18 years. Their bomb plot failed because they arrived two hours after last year's rally in Dewsbury had finished.The men, who all lived in or near Birmingham, were each jailed for more than 18 years. Their bomb plot failed because they arrived two hours after last year's rally in Dewsbury had finished.
'Completely questionable''Completely questionable'
Mr Robinson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he condemned all acts of violence by EDL members and the group was about peaceful protest. Mr Robinson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he condemned all acts of violence by EDL members and the group was about peaceful protest.
He denied his group was behind the blaze in Muswell Hill last week. He denied his group was behind the blaze in Muswell Hill last week and said the graffiti could have been placed there to make it look as if the group was responsible.
"If something was set fire and someone wrote David Cameron on the side of it, does it mean he did it?" he said."If something was set fire and someone wrote David Cameron on the side of it, does it mean he did it?" he said.
"If I'm honest, I'm completely sceptical that it is even non-Muslims that have done that.""If I'm honest, I'm completely sceptical that it is even non-Muslims that have done that."
The EDL describes itself as an "inclusive movement dedicated to peacefully protesting against Islamic extremism".The EDL describes itself as an "inclusive movement dedicated to peacefully protesting against Islamic extremism".
The group says it wants three things - the government to outline a "convincing strategy" for defeating Islamist extremism, the Muslim community to make "serious efforts" to counter extremism, and an open and honest debate about the issue.The group says it wants three things - the government to outline a "convincing strategy" for defeating Islamist extremism, the Muslim community to make "serious efforts" to counter extremism, and an open and honest debate about the issue.
It frequently holds demonstrations and has staged several since the killing of soldier Lee Rigby in Woolwich, south-east London.It frequently holds demonstrations and has staged several since the killing of soldier Lee Rigby in Woolwich, south-east London.
Mr Robinson told the BBC that "non-Muslim working-class communities" did not have a voice and warned "it's not going to end pretty". Mr Robinson told the BBC "non-Muslim working-class communities" did not have a voice and warned "it's not going to end pretty".
"There is a massive undercurrent of anger across this country," he said."There is a massive undercurrent of anger across this country," he said.
Internment callInternment call
While he acknowledged the EDL's tactics were "completely questionable", he said the group had no choice. He continued: "Our tactics are completely questionable, yes, and I understand people who say you are going about it the wrong way, but what choice do we have as working class people, who, as soon as you put your head above the parapet, you are called a racist or a fascist?
"What choice do we have as working-class people?" he said. "Who wants to sit down and talk to us?"
"As soon as you put your head above the parapet you are called a racist or a fascist. Who wants to sit down and talk to us?"
He called for the internment of Islamist extremists "recruiting on our streets" and the outlawing of all aspects of Sharia law, which he believed was operating in the UK.He called for the internment of Islamist extremists "recruiting on our streets" and the outlawing of all aspects of Sharia law, which he believed was operating in the UK.
"I'd stop the building of mosques in this country until Islam reforms in such a way and works in this country with Western democracy and freedom," he added."I'd stop the building of mosques in this country until Islam reforms in such a way and works in this country with Western democracy and freedom," he added.
Shaista Gohir, chairman of the Muslim Women's Network UK, told the BBC's Today programme: "When the Woolwich attack happened, that weekend Muslim Women's Network got about 19 calls from Muslim women across the country.
"A lot of it was verbal abuse. Also intimidation while driving, which could lead to accidents. It was food and drink being thrown at them.
"The insults were really awful, mums with their children. Definitely the incidents are getting worse. It's almost as if it's acceptable to do that kind of thing."