HOME Secretary Alan Johnson confirmed he has no power to block next month's proposed anti-mosque protest - so civic leaders are turning to the Metropolitan Police for more assurances.

A delegation from Harrow, including the borough's two MPs, its borough commander,

the leader of Harrow Council and its chief executive, opposition councillors, mosque lead-ers and the London Assembly member for Harrow and Brent, travelled to the Home Office last Wednesday to speak to Mr Johnson about the demonstration by the Stop Islamisation of Europe (SIOE).

The protest is scheduled for Sunday, December 13, outside the replacement Harrow Central Mosque in Station Road, Harrow, and follows one held by the SIOE on September 11 - a Friday in the middle of Ramadan - that sparked a huge counter-protest by anti-fascist campaigners.