Cardiff Muslim councillor Mohammed Islam has spoken of his alarm at the news that the English Defence League plans to register as a political party.
Councillor Islam, who represents the Riverside area of the capital for Plaid Cymru, said he was worried the announcement would spur other far-right groups to follow suit.
“We already have the BNP and now the EDL. That is going to do nothing for community harmony.
“My worry is that the divisive EDL, or its Welsh equivalent, will look at standing in the Assembly elections or the local government elections next year. Their brand of politics just spreads hatred.
“I’m very concerned that a UK national newspaper, The Daily Star, appears to be endorsing the EDL. Wherever, the EDL go there appears to be trouble.
“In Cardiff a very tolerant society, with good race relations, has developed over centuries and I don’t want to see that spoilt by the EDL or its Welsh equivalent,” added Councillor Islam.
According to reports the EDL is also looking to develop strong links with overseas organisations like the right-wing American Tea Party movement.
