Far-right protesters have clashed with London police during a demonstration held despite a ban on marches in six parts of Britain's capital. Home Secretary Theresa May imposed the 30-day ban late last month over fears of unrest at a march planned by the English Defence League on Saturday. But hundreds of members went ahead with a so-called ``static demonstration' in the Tower Hamlets area.
Some threw bottles and scuffled with police officers surrounding them to keep control. The English Defence League insists it is a peaceful organisation opposing Islamist extremism. But its past protests have often resulted in violence. Police have been on high alert since a wave of looting and street violence shook London and other major cities in early August.