ANTI-FASCIST campaigners are to protest at a rally in support of former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson at the weekend.

Unite Against Fascism Scotland are calling upon supporters to join them in a counter-demonstration to a the protest launched by he Scottish Defence League in George Square on Saturday.

The SDL are demonstrating against the imprisonment of the far-right figure on charges of contempt of court.

Last month up to 15,000 turned out in Whitehall against the imprisonment of Tommy Robinson.

John McFadden, chairman of Unite Against Fascism Scotland, said: "Once again the fascist thugs of the SDL are intent on desecrating Glasgow's historic George square with their hate fuelled racist bile and Nazi salutes. They are clearly hoping to build a street gang emboldened by the numbers on the far right mobilising in London to demand the release of Tommy Robinson.

"I fervently urge all anti racists, trade unionists, political parties and support groups to mobilise to defend our fellow citizens from the very real threats of violence and intimidation from the SDL and to attend the counter demonstration."

On Wednesday judges delayed their decision in an appeal by Robinson against his conviction and jailing for contempt of court.

The Court of Appeal expects a judgement on the former English Defence League leader to be made by the end of July.

Robinson was jailed in May after he admitted contempt of court by filming outside Leeds Crown Court during a trial. He appeared under his real name Stephen Yaxley Lennon.

Robinson is serving a 13-month jail term for contempt of court.

It was the second time he had been found guilty of contempt.

Last year hundreds lined the streets of Perth in a counter-protest to a right-wing rally against the building of a mosque in the city.

The SDL were due to take part in a rally outside the city’s rail station at 2pm in a demonstration against the £1 million development on Jeanfield Road.

However masses of people from the likes of Perth Against Racism and anti-fascist groups lined the streets around the station in a counter-protest.

Police confirmed one man was arrested during the demonstration.

SDL supporters had warned on social media that Perth would become a “war zone”.

Hundreds of police staged a show of force in central Edinburgh six years ago at a rally by the SDL that also saw a counter demo.

Almost 200 supporters of the far right group were heavily outnumbered by officers drawn from forces across the central belt.

They were penned in after the city council refused them permission to march.

A counter demonstration of about 400 Unite Against Fascism protesters was allowed to hold a procession.