Two EDL leaders stand down claiming they ‘cannot keep extremists at bay’

Two leaders of the far-right English Defence League are leaving the group.

Tommy Robinson and Kevin Carroll, who set up the controversial group in 2009, announced their departure through counter-extremism think tank Quilliam.

They were said to have decided to leave because they can no longer “keep extremist elements at bay”. In a statement, Mr Robinson said: “I have been considering this move for a long time because I recognise that, though street demonstrations have brought us to this point, they are no longer productive.

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“I acknowledge the dangers of far-right extremism and the ongoing need to counter Islamist ideology not with violence but with better, democratic ideas.”

In a radio interview, he said while he wanted to lead a revolution against Islamist ideology, he did not want to lead a revolution against Muslims.

“I believe that the revolution needs to come from within the Islamic community and they need to stand up. And I believe this is a step forward not a step back,” he said.

The EDL, started in response to a demonstration by Muslim extremists as soldiers marched through Luton, has become infamous for street protests across the country, often resulting in violence as its members clashed with opposing groups.

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Quilliam, which calls itself the “world’s first counter-extremism think tank”, said it is helping Mr Robinson move away from the group and put his energy into countering extremism.

Anti-racism group Hope not Hate said it was reacting with “cautious optimism”.

Director Nick Lowles said: “EDL supporters have called for mosques to be burned, holy books to be destroyed, Muslims to be deported, they have cost us £10m in policing bills, brought disorder to our streets, and many, many more have been sentenced for acts of violence, gun possession, paedophilia and other crimes.”

Keith Vaz MP, chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, said: “Leaving the organisation is an acceptance that their opinions incite hatred and their previous actions have unnecessarily cost the taxpayer thousands of pounds.”

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