Protesters fight police in clashes outside mosque

Protesters fought with police after an anti-racist demonstration in east London descended into violence.

About 300 people gathered "spontaneously" outside East London mosque in Whitechapel Road amid rumours that a counter-demonstration by the far-Right English Defence League was due to take place, Scotland Yard said.

The league protest failed to materialise, but police sealed off the area around the mosque for more than two hours after officers and members of the public were attacked by what police called a "volatile" mob. A 19-year-old man was arrested for attempted bodily harm.

The violence yesterday followed a peaceful march from Stepney to Aldgate organised by Unite Against Fascism and United East End.

A police spokesman: "Despite continued excellent attempts by stewards and representatives from the East London mosque to control the crowds, even placing themselves in danger, there was the risk of serious disorder. One member of the public was attacked at random by members of the crowd."