Extremism claims may halt parade

An annual Black Country St George's Day parade is set to be axed because it is being hijacked by extremists, according to council chiefs.

Around 15,000 people turned out for this year's parade around Sandwell, but the council said that it had been marred by political extremists and drunks. Following this year's parade on April 20, videos soon appeared on the internet site YouTube showing the British Ulster Alliance Flute Band performing and marching through the area.

Now the council is planning to put an end to the procession, organised by the Stone Cross St George's Association, which has vowed to fight the move.

Council watchdogs on the scrutiny management board reviewed the St George's Day parade at a meeting earlier this month and have since issued a statement, saying: "There is clear evidence of far-right political extremists infiltrating the 2008 St George's Day Parade in Sandwell, with no apparent observation or record of this by any of the stakeholders."

They added that organisers need to give serious thought about developing the St George's Day celebrations into a "static park event", effectively banning the procession.

There have also been calls for police to be given special training to spot "covert signs" of any political extremism at future events.

Trevor Collins, of the Stone Cross St George's Day Association, said: " I understood it would be able to go ahead with provisions. If this is the case we are being sold down the river, because of something that happened that was nothing to do with us." Sandwell Council leader Councillor Bill Thomas said the move did not mean the council was turning its back on celebrations.

The recommendations will now be discussed by the council's cabinet.