This newspaper has been very clear in the past about how unwelcome groups like the English Defence League are in Bradford.

Why should this organisation spouting Far-Right bile be allowed to cause such huge disruption city leaving the local community, through police and council costs, to foot the bill?

In theory, any move to try to prevent this happening in the future would seem to be a reasonable one - and it would appear eminently sensible for Bradford Council to seek advice from the Government as to what legal ways there are, if any, to prevent future demonstrations by the group.

However opposition councillors have expressed concern, and this newspaper must share their unease.

This is a very difficult dilemma. We have an absolute belief in freedom of speech, and the right for people to express their opinion, no matter how unsavoury, as long as they remain within the law.

But is it fair that what amounts to a small rag-tag band of agitators is able to come into the city whenever they feel like it and have such a huge impact?

Unfortunately, the answer to that has to be No, it is not fair – but it is legal and constitutional.

We would be delighted if there was a way that pressure could be brought to persuade them to protest the city and, in fairness, negotiation does take place beforehand to try to minimise their presence.

And it is right that we should pursue every means possible to lessen the financial impact – although they clearly no longer have any other impact on the people of Bradford, who have chosen to respond to them with huge dignity – but those means must be within the letter of the law and must not compromise such a hard-won principle.