The English Defence League are planning to march in Liverpool this weekend.
A statement from the extreme right-wing group confirmed its intension to stage a protest in the city on Saturday in wake of the Manchester terrorist attack.
But the EDL have been condemned for using last week’s tragic bombing, which killed 22 people and left 60 injured, as an opportunity to incite hatred.
The Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, insists the EDL are not welcome in the city.
He said: “My first job as leader of this city is to guarantee the safety of the people here.
“And if I can’t do that then I should be given the power to ban outright far right groups like this from coming here – because there is a real danger to public safety.
“I have again written to the Government saying this isn’t about freedom of speech, it’s about a group that wants to intimidate and bully people.
“These people are not welcome here and they know that – it is frustrating that the government is allowing them to come and not giving me the power to stop them.”
He added: “It will also take up vital resources from the police – who should be focusing on keeping people safe at the moment.”
Merseyside Police have confirmed that it will be ‘facilitating’ the EDL’s planned march in complaince with the Human Rights Act on freedom of thought, expression and assembly.
Merseyside Unite Against Fascism, who have accused the EDL of using the recent attack as an excuse to “stir up hatred and division on Merseyside”, have planned a counter-protest.
A police spokesman said: “If a counter demonstration does take place on the day Merseyside Police will ensure all parties involved in both events uphold the law.
“It is important that we keep disruption to residents, businesses and visitors to a minimum and we will be working with partners to do all we can to achieve this.
“We will not tolerate acts of anti-social behaviour and we will be robust with anyone who behaves inappropriately.
“Police will continue to monitor the situation throughout Saturday, as the safety of the public is paramount.”
Previous protests by right-wing extremists in Liverpool have been met with opposition from anti-fascism demonstrators in recent years.
A planned ‘White Man March’ saw demonstrators force its organisers National Action to hide in the the lost luggage enclosure of Lime Street Station in 2015.
Another far-right group, the North West Infidels, daubed swastikas on buildings across Liverpool city centre in February 2016 as part of a pro-racism rally.