MEMBERS of a Harrow mosque lobbied the home secretary for an anti-Islam protest to be banned today.

Self-proclaimed Islamaphobics Stop Islamisation of Europe (SIOE) say they do not want anymore mosques in Britain and plan to demonstrate outside Harrow Central Mosque, in Station Road, on December 13.

A delegation of Harrow politicians led by Tony McNulty, MP for Harrow East, joined Ghulam Rabbani, the mosque's general secretary, to ask Alan Johnson to find a way to stop the rally.

Mr Rabbani said: “We understand his hands are tied but now he understands that Harrow is a very difficult location to police.”

The group told the home secretary about violent scenes on September 11, the day of the organisation's last demonstration, and the chaos caused on Station Road.

Mr McNulty said: “I think it went very well. I think the home secretary is very clear now on Harrow's position.

“I think we also got the message across about unity across the community and all politicians. Hopefully that will feed back to the police if the protest goes ahead.”

Councillor David Ashton, leader of Harrow Council, said: “It was a very successful meeting. I think it will help us with the policing plans but realistically I don't think it will lead to a ban because of the legal background with static demonstrations.”

Another delegation will meet police commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson to discuss policing arrangements for the rally.