Petition · past parliament
Proscribe English Defence League (EDL)
Closed
28,455 signatures
Government response · 31 August 2013
As this e-petition has received more than 10 000 signatures, the relevant Government department have provided the following response:
The e-petition requests that the Government considers the English Defence League (EDL) for proscription. While we keep the list of proscribed organisations under review, it is Government policy not to comment on whether or not a group is under consideration for proscription.
Legislation allows for a group to be proscribed in the UK only if the Secretary of State believes it is currently concerned in terrorism, within the meaning of the Terrorism Act 2000.
This e-petition remains open to signatures and will be considered for debate by the Backbench Business Committee should it pass the 100 000 signature threshold.
The e-petition requests that the Government considers the English Defence League (EDL) for proscription. While we keep the list of proscribed organisations under review, it is Government policy not to comment on whether or not a group is under consideration for proscription.
Legislation allows for a group to be proscribed in the UK only if the Secretary of State believes it is currently concerned in terrorism, within the meaning of the Terrorism Act 2000.
This e-petition remains open to signatures and will be considered for debate by the Backbench Business Committee should it pass the 100 000 signature threshold.
Timeline
| 28 May 2013 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 31 Jul 2013 | Passed 10,000 signatures, requiring a government response |
| 31 Aug 2013 | Government responded |
| 28 May 2014 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
28,455
Status
Closed
Opened
28 May 2013
Closed
28 May 2014
Response
31 Aug 2013
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.