Met Police bans 'Walk With Jesus' march to avoid provoking local Muslim community

Metropolitan Police officials said permitting the event in that location would be "reckless" given the potential for violence.

Social media advertisements promoted the gathering as a "Christian march", inviting participants to worship Jesus Christ during January, which organisers described as "the month dedicated to the holy name of Jesus".

Authorities confirmed the march could take place elsewhere - but not in Whitechapel.

This marks the second Ukip event banned from Tower Hamlets in recent months.

In October, the Met outlawed a planned demonstration called "The Mass Deportations Tour" over fears of serious disorder.

That decision prompted a counter-protest in which hundreds of men from the local Bangladeshi community, wearing masks, balaclavas and dark clothing, gathered in the streets.

Protesters descended on Whitechapel to "stand firm" and show that they were "ready to defend our community" - and columns of men could be seen chanting "Allahu Akbar" as they marched.

Nigel Farage described the scenes as one of the most "terrifying things" he had ever witnessed.

"It was like a foreign invading army marching through our streets. I defy anyone in this room to tell me that's wrong. I really, genuinely do," he said.

Ukip subsequently redirected their rally through west London, finishing at Marble Arch.

The party accused police of "caving in to Islamists" and "violating their democratic right to assembly".

Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman said the decision rested solely on public safety concerns, not political considerations.

"It would be reckless to allow an event to go ahead when we understand there's a risk of serious violence to members of the community and to our officers.

"We are not doing so on the grounds of politics. We're not even doing so on the grounds of whether people will be offended or not by their presence," he explained.

"We are doing so solely on our risk assessment for serious disorder."

Mr Harman added attempts to communicate with Ukip in recent weeks had yielded only "limited responses and limited engagements".

He urged organisers to collaborate with Scotland Yard to identify a suitable alternative venue.

"We reasonably believe that there would be a hostile local reaction to their presence – which many may perceive as provocative – and a consequent risk of violence and disorder," he said.

"As the police, we just can't allow that to happen."

The senior officer confirmed that should a more appropriate route be agreed, the procession could proceed as it did previously.

Anyone defying the restrictions and attending the banned march would face arrest, he warned.