English Defence League announces Telford demo over child sex exploitation claims

The far right group plans to march in Wellington on November 5 according to reports on the internet, following national publicity which claimed the town was the child sex capital of the UK.

It comes five years after the EDL was banned from marching in Telford by then Home Secretary Theresa May. The group decided to hold a static protest in the town instead.

Telford MP Lucy Allan made a call in the House of Commons for Mrs May, now Prime Minister, to order an independent "Rotherham-style" inquiry into how child sex exploitation had been handled in the town.

She said it was important to learn the lessons of the past, and made the call after speaking personally to a victim.

It comes after a gang of Asian men were jailed for their roles in a sex ring involving teenage girls in Telford as part of Operation Chalice conducted by West Mercia Police.

The call has been brushed off by Telford & Wrekin Council. Leaders at the authority said they had already taken part in three inspections this year.

But Wellington town councillor Pat McCarthy said he had no doubt the bad publicity was the reason for the latest demonstration.

He said: "In 2011 the EDL caused havoc on the streets of Wellington.

"Shopkeepers lost thousands as they were forced to erect shutters and close for that Saturday.

"There were over 40 arrests and the police estimated that the operation cost £22,000.

"I witnessed the degree of stress it caused over weeks in our community.

"There has been unfair scapegoating of the whole Asian community because of the activities of a small number of criminals who are now behind bars.

"The cynical way our local MP has stirred up suspicions once again has undoubtedly encouraged the boot boys in the EDL to make this second visit.

"Lucy Allan should be more responsible with her unsubstantiated claims of further grooming. Any actual evidence should have been quietly given to the police rather than shouted from the roof tops. We now reap the consequences."

Ms Allan said: "MPs have a duty to raise the concerns of constituents in Parliament.

"I have asked for an independent review to look at what went wrong in Telford over a 20 year period. This is the right way forward and the best way to learn the lessons of the past.

"Constituents have raised concerns with me about historic abuse only.

"If a constituent raised a concern with their MP about a current case of grooming and child sexual exploitation, they would be advised to report it to the police."

Chief Inspector James Baker from West Mercia Police said: "Whilst we are awaiting direct contact from the organisers, we are aware of plans posted on social media for a protest in Telford next month. We have begun planning for a proportionate policing response."

"We recognise the democratic right of people to lawfully protest and the organisers of such events have a responsibility under the Public Order Act to notify us of their intentions. West Mercia Police is committed to protecting people from harm and we will be working with Telford & Wrekin Council and other partners to achieve this."

Nigel Newman, spokesman for Telford & Wrekin Council, said police are leading the situation and shared the sentiments of officers.