Far-right opportunism is condemned

Unite Against Fascism made the claims after 250 English Defence League (EDL) supporters gathered on Wednesday night, close to the scene of the killing.

Bottles were thrown at police in the incident near Woolwich Arsenal train station.

EDL leader Tommy Robinson, who was among a group of about 250 men, said: “Our next generation are being taught through schools that Islam is a religion of peace.

“It’s not. It never has been.

“Everyone’s had enough. There has to be a reaction, for the Government to listen, for the police to listen, to understand how angry this British public are.”

The men then engaged in brief skirmishes with police.

Yesterday, a spokesman for Unite Against Fascism said: “We must not give a quarter to those who would judge an entire religion, race or nationality by the actions of a few.

“We must challenge Islamophobia wherever it raises its head.

“We must reject those who want to divide our communities and set them against each other, and stand fast to the ideals of anti-racism, multiculturalism and respect for all.”