British Government Bans Anti-semitic and Nec-nazi Meetings

The British Government today banned three open-air meetings planned by anti-Semitic and neo-Nazi groups. The meetings were scheduled to be held at Trafalgar Square here.

The British Ministry of Works, which has the jurisdiction over Trafalgar Square, announced that it has turned down permit applications filed for August 19 and September 23, and has rescinded a permit granted some months ago for a separate outdoor rally in Trafalgar Square scheduled for September 2. The applicants were Sir Oswald Mosley’s British National Union; Colin Jordan’s National Socialist movement; and Andrew Fountaine’s National Party.

Announcing the bans, the Works Ministry stated: “After consultation with the Home Secretary, and taking into account what occurred at previous similar meetings in recent weeks, the Minister of Works decided it would not be right to grant facilities for these meetings in Trafalgar Square at a time of the year when there are likely to be numbers of holiday makers and other visitors in the Square.”

The Board of Deputies of British Jews immediately issued a statement welcoming the Government’s action, and expressing the hope that legislation to make such bans more permanent would be adopted by Parliament, when it reconvenes in October after its summer recess.

“The Ministry’s decision,” stated the Board, “undoubtedly reflects the general feeling in this country regarding the activities of these organizations. The overwhelming majority of people will be relieved to know that the occasions for the kind of disturbances that took place last month have been at least temporarily removed. It is to be hoped that the Government will find a way to introduce legislation to put this matter on a more permanent footing.”

Jordan, Mosley and John Bean, national organizer for the Fountaine group, issued statements blaming “Jews and Communists” for the prohibition of their rallies. Bean also blamed “the antics of Mr. Jordan.”