An ex-Swanley BNP councillor and his far-right followers have been banned from entering all mosques in England and Wales.

Britain First’s leader Paul Golding accepted the High Court injunction on August 11 in fear of losing the legal battle and incurring costs from Bedfordshire Police.

The court order bans both Golding, Jayda Fransen and their instructed followers, from entering any mosque or Islamic Cultural Centre, or its private grounds within the two countries, without prior written invitation.

News Shopper: A Britain First member hands out leaflets during action which is thought to have targeted ten mosques
Paul Golding was a Swanley BNP councillor for the St Mary’s ward 

It also barred the group from areas of Luton following its anti-Islam march through the city centre on January 23.

The final stand-off with residents in Bury Park was slammed by Christians and Muslims alike as an intimidating political stunt to divide the community.

Britain First, which describes itself as a political movement, surrendered to all seven points of the injunction which will be in place for three years.

Prior to the court order the group leader feared that legal costs would see the end of his party.

He described the acceptance of the ruling as a “a success in itself.”

The former St Mary’s ward councillor from 2009 - 2011, said: “If we lose we are bankrupt and finished.

“We are literally in a no win situation being completely hammered into submission by the sheer weight and brute force of vast legal costs.

“The gravity of the situation is simply too big and too extreme for us to take a massive gamble that could potentially backfire with apocalyptic consequences.

“Sometimes you have to live to fight another day.

“A good general realises when he’s outgunned and outmatched and thus outmanoeuvres his opponent, retreating to safe ground to regroup.

“The fact that we have managed to escape - not paying a single penny - and can now focus on using our resources on more productive pursuits was a success in itself.”

He added: “The only downside is that we have lost the right to enter certain parts of Luton but remember there are dozens and dozens of muslim ghettos and no go-zones all around the country that we can happily visit.”

Mr Golding’s optimism maybe short lived however as the ruling may could be used as a precedent in future disputes the group has with police forces.

In February the two Britain First leaders were arrested in Gravesend on behalf of Bedfordshire Police for wearing “political uniforms” and handing out anti-Islam literature while carrying religious crosses on the January march.

News Shopper:
Jayda Fransen and Paul Golding have decided not to appeal the injunction  

Assistant Chief Constable for Bedfordshire Police, Mike Colbourne, said: "Applying for such an order is not a decision we take lightly, however we decided to take action following a number of incidents where these parties came into areas of Luton and caused community tensions.

“Luton is an incredibly diverse and vibrant town and we will not tolerate any individual who seeks to cause disharmony or provoke tensions within our communities.

“I would like to be clear that we would never seek to ban demonstrations or peaceful protest, however we have a duty to protect our communities and will always act in their best interests.”