MPs name for ban on London ‘hate march’ backing Iranian regime

MPs and policing experts have led calls to ban an annual march in London in support of the Iranian regime.

The Al Quds demonstration, due to take place on March 15, is intended to express solidarity with Palestinians and opposition to Israel.

But, as the UK draws up plans to send a warship to defend the RAF airbase in Cyprus struck by an Iranian drone, there are renewed calls for Al Quds to be blocked.

Marchers in Britain have previously carried the flags of Iranian-backed terror group Hezbollah, and placards calling for the destruction of Israel.

The march is organised by the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) which previously described the late Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, as a ‘rare role model’. 

Lord Pickles, former UK special envoy for post-Holocaust Issues, said: ‘I am in favour of free speech and reasonable demonstration but (allowing this march to go ahead) is taking the mickey out of the British constitution.

‘Given what is going on in the world, I think it is ridiculous that police resources should be diverted for something like this.’

Labour MP David Taylor added: ‘We cannot allow hundreds of supporters of Iran’s hardline regime to march through London calling for strikes on Israel and death to the West.’

MPs and policing experts have led calls to ban the Al Quds demonstration, an annual march in London in support of the Iranian regime (Pictured: The annual London Al-Quds day march on March 23, 2025)

Former police and crime commissioner for Bedfordshire, Festus Akinbusoye, said: ‘We have got British people who are of Iranian and Persian descent whose families had to flee from the brutal regime of the ayatollahs. This protest would be rubbing their faces in it.’

Lord Austin of Dudley described Al Quds as ‘a hate march by fans of an Islamic dictatorship that recently slaughtered 36,000 of its own citizens who dared to come out and protest against it’. 

The former MP called for anyone who joined the marches to be deported.

The Metropolitan Police said: ‘Officers will take a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime, including anti-Semitism, and support for proscribed organisations.’

A spokesman for IHRC said: ‘Any ban on Al Quds Day would destroy any remaining credibility that the UK has.’