THE leader of an anti-Islam protest group has promised never to hold another demonstration in Harrow again following yesterday's protests outside the borough's largest mosque.

Stephen Gash, leader of Stop the Islamisation of Europe (SIOE), guaranteed he and his followers would not be back after they were allowed to protest outside Harrow Central Mosque yesterday afternoon.

Around ten people from his islamophobic group were joined by supporters of the English Defence League, who came to Harrow to demonstrate against any future building of mosques in the UK.

Their protest was countered by a demonstration by Unite Against Fascism, with both sides squaring up to each other in Harrow Civic Centre car park separated by security barriers and swarms of police officers.

Angry words and chants were exchanged between the opposing groups, but the day went off peacefully, in stark contrast to the events of September 11 when pandemonium broke out on the streets of Wealdstone.

Yesterday, the police presence had been notably increased to around 800 officers, and double security barriers had been erected to split the car park in two and keep both sides separate.

A spokesman for the mosque, in Station Road, Ajmal Masroor went across to the opposing side to invite SIOE and EDL representatives into the mosque for one-to-one talks.

However, his offer was declined, with Mr Gash arguing he wants a televised debate on the issue of mosque building and private discussions are a pointless waste of his time.

As Mr Gash was leaving, he made an agreement with Councillor Susan Hall, deputy leader of the council, that his group would not return.

Cllr Hall said: “He confirmed the police had allowed him to say whatever he wanted to say, and we shook hands on the agreement that there would not be another protest.”

However, Tony McNulty, MP for Harrow East, said he has doubts whether that will actually be the case. He said: “He can say we will not be back again, but whether you can take their word on it, only time will tell.

“You could say this was a good day for British democracy – they had their chance to have their say – and they have said they will not be back, let's hope so.”