The two leaders of the English Defence League quit today in a move campaigners said would “decapitate” the Right-wing movement.
EDL leader Tommy Robinson said he was standing down in recognition of the “dangers of far-Right extremism” and now wanted to use “democratic ideas” rather than violence . His deputy Kevin Carroll is also stepping down.
The move was brokered by Quilliam, a think tank which aims to counter Islamist extremism and raise awareness of peaceful Islam.
Announcing his decision, Mr Robinson, who set up the EDL in 2009, 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. I acknowledge the dangers of Far-right extremism and the ongoing need to counter Islamist ideology not with violence but with better, democratic ideas.”
Quilliam claimed it had “facilitated the decapitation of the EDL”. Its chairman Maajid Nawaz — a former member of radical Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir — said he had been negotiating with the two men, and their move was a “more mature way” to tackle all forms of extremism.
The think tank called on other EDL members to follow their footsteps — and for leading Islamist extremists to leave their groups. “As well as being a very positive change for the UK, this is a very proud moment for Quilliam,” said Mr Nawaz. “This represents not a change but a continuation for us, as challenging extremism of all kinds forms the basis of our work.
“We have been able to show that Britain stands together against extremism regardless of political views, and hope to continue supporting Tommy and Kevin in their journey to counter Islamism and neo-Nazi extremism.”
The EDL has become infamous for street protests across the country, often resulting in violence as its members clashed with groups such as Unite Against Fascism.
Last month Mr Robinson, 30, was charged over his role in a march that was prevented from going through Tower Hamlets, which hosts one of Britain’s biggest Muslim communities. He was one of 300 people arrested at the EDL demonstration and counter-protest by anti-fascist groups in east London on September 7.
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Mr Robinson, 30, was accused of failing to comply with the law and inciting illegal public assembly. He was charged under his real name, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. He is due to appear at Thames magistrates’ court on 22 October.
