A major row has broken out over the decision to allow supporters of Osama bin Laden to march through London this weekend.
Al-Muhajiroun, an Islamic fundamentalist organisation, is expected to attract hundreds of militant supporters to its rally, some of whom have called for terror attacks on Western targets.
Special Branch officers will be in Trafalgar Square to gather intelligence during Sunday's demonstration. The Greater London Authority refused to give permission for the event but its decision holds no legal force. There is, however, anger that the Met did not apply to Home Secretary David Blunkett to ban the event.
Lord Janner, a barrister and former president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: "It is horrendous that they will be marching through our tolerant and peaceful city, especially so close to 11 September. In my view, the GLA was right to try to block it. They should look at the law and see if it is necessary to change it."
Elizabeth Howlett, of the Metropolitan Police Authority, said it had asked Met Commissioner Sir John Stevens to take tougher action against Al-Muhajiroun. "He told us these groups will be prosecuted if police find the evidence," she said.
Mike Whine of the Community Safety Trust, which monitors antisemitic groups, said he was unable to understand why strong anti-racist laws and more recent anti-terrorism legislation had not been used against the organisation. "It is amazing more action has not been taken," he said.
The rally has intensified concerns over the organisation's campaign for Britain to become an Islamic republic and its virulent anti-semitism.
Al-Muhajiroun's leader, self-styled "Sheikh" Omar Bakri Mohammed, has called on Muslims to fight the "evil forces" behind strikes against Bin Laden's al Qaeda terror network. He has also been investigated by Scotland Yard for inciting racial hatred following comments about Jews.
But, despite the bloodthirsty rhetoric of Omar and his followers, efforts to curb the activities of Al-Muhajiroun have backfired with failed prosecutions of key members.
At least 13 senior figures have been arrested since 1998. Some have been charged with public order offences relating to campaigns against the West and Jews. But only three have ever been convicted and only one of those convictions related directly to the group's racist activities.
Many opponents believe police are
moving cautiously because they do not want to inflame moderate Muslim opinion.