Glasgow City Council has expressed fears over public safety if far right organisation the Scottish Defence League is allowed to march through the city centre next month.

The organisation intends to march from Blythswood Square through West George Street and Nelson Mandela Place before assembling in George Square on February 25.

Council bosses say they have asked the league to change their plans or hold their protest in a private area such as a hall. However, a Scottish Defence League spokesman said on Wednesday that the organisation has received no such request. 

Anyone organising a protest in Glasgow must notify the council at least 28 days in advance to allow any discussions or negotiations about the event to take place. 

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: "A group identifying itself as the Scottish Defence League has notified us of its intention to hold a public procession in the city centre on the afternoon of February 25.

"We have legitimate concerns about public safety and public order and have asked organisers to withdraw their notification; or to consider holding an event in an enclosed area, such as a hall, instead.

"If the group is not prepared to do this, it is likely the proposed march will have to be called in to a Public Processions Committee for consideration."

Most organisers of protests through Glasgow city centre usually have to meet police and council officers in advance of their event to discuss demonstration plans. 

Paul O’Donnell, SDL regional organiser and spokesman, said: "It would be a silly proposal to have it in a hall. We are still negotiating the procession just now with the police and the council.

"They’ve actually been quite helpful. There’s no indication that it could be cancelled or that they will move the route. We will have 25 stewards for 250 people and we have a chief steward.

"We’ve every confidence in Strathclyde Police and we are confident that they will do their job."

Local authorities have limited powers to control public processions, including asking protest organisers to make alterations to the date, time, duration and route of their procession.  

A spokeswoman from Strathclyde Police said the force had no comment to make at this stage on the proposed march.