POLICE say they cannot ask for a 9/11 mosque protest to be banned.

Anti-Islam group Stop the Islamisation of Europe (SIOE) plans to hold a rally to commemorate the victims of 9/11 on Friday but there are fears the event could result in violent clashes.

An English Defence League (EDL) rally in Birmingham on Saturday resulted in 90 arrests after skirmishes with members of Unite Against Fascism (UAF).

UAF are holding a counter demonstration on the same day and EDL has advertised the event.

The mosque called on the police and Harrow Council to ask the Home Office to ban the event.

Lynne Arnold, a spokesman for the Met, said officers are working with protest organisors to provide an appropriate policing plan on the day.

She said: “We have not made an approach to the Home Office, because there is no legislative basis to do so.”

Councillor David Ashton, leader of the council, said: “It is for the police to rule on the legality of demonstrations. The police advice to us is that this demonstration is legal so therefore can go ahead.”