The English Defence League's full statement which was posted on their website.

Statement Regarding Planned EDL Bolton Demonstration

We, the EDL Leadership Team, have decided to postpone our Bolton demonstration, which was set to take place on the 6th of March. This decision was taken in light of the fact that a Hindu religious festival is scheduled for the same day, at the same time and in the same location as our planned demonstration.

We have received information that far-left groups were planning to attack Hindus whilst dressed in EDL clothing, which may be purchased freely from our internet shop. This cowardly attack, had it taken place, was to be blamed on our organisation with the intent of discrediting our stated aim of peacefully protesting against radical Islam. Due to the respect we have for the peace loving Hindu community, we deemed it only right and proper that we cancel our own plans to ensure their safety. We hope that the action we have taken will be taken as further proof that we stand only against Muslim extremists. No other decent, honest, peaceful person or group has anything to fear from the EDL.

The good people of Bolton, who have shown us solid support, should be reassured that we will arrange another demonstration in due course. No street, town or city is off-limits to the English Defence League in our own land. We shall never surrender a single, solitary inch of our country to extremists. We shall defend our freedoms, our values and our culture against all who would destroy them.

May we also take this opportunity to apologise to those who had already made plans to attend our demonstration. We did not take our decision lightly, but we are sure you will agree that it was the correct decision to make.

EDL Leadership Team