As the Football Lads Alliance prepare to protest in Birmingham this weekend, we wish to make it clear that there is no place in our city for hatred or intolerance.

If you hold extremist views and plan to stir-up trouble in our city, you are not welcome.

Birmingham is proud to be a diverse, open, tolerant and welcoming city. It is a city where people from all backgrounds, neighbourhoods and communities are united.

Whenever extremists try to divide us they quickly discover that there is no room in this city for extremist views or hatred.

Birmingham will not be divided and, while people have every right to counter-protest, we expect all protests to be carried out in a peaceful, legal and non-confrontational manner.

Birmingham City Council is working closely with West Midlands Police this week to ensure that visitors to the city centre can go about their business as usual on Saturday.

We are also aware that on Saturday, Justice for the 21 will be highlighting their ongoing quest for answers about the Birmingham pub bombings and must stress that we continue to support the families of the victims.

Cllr Ian Ward – Labour Leader of Birmingham City Council

Cllr Robert Alden – Leader of the Birmingham City Council Conservative Group

Cllr Jon Hunt – Leader of the Birmingham City Council Liberal Democrats Group