'EDL not far-right,' says police extremism chief

The new head of police domestic extremist units was condemned today after denying that the

English Defence League was a right-wing extremist group. Detective Chief Superintendent Adrian Tudway, who took over the role of national co-ordinator for domestic extremism last week, claimed police had to walk a "tightrope" when targeting small groups which they believe are bent on violence.

Mr Tudway insisted that intelligence officials do not examine the work of trade or student unions and went on to say that the EDL was not an extreme right-wing group. "The present particular challenge to us, constitutionally, is they are not extreme right-wing organisations," he said.

Hat tip:  RoP