A MEMBER of the controversial group Muslims Against Crusaders spoke to the Echo about his concerns for the protests.

Ben Moore, 17, who is originally from Weymouth and now lives in London, was shown in the programme and is a member of Muslims Against Crusaders.

He said he felt compelled to speak out to make clear that he was not connected with the Muslim community in Weymouth.

He said: “I want the people of Weymouth and Portland to know they shouldn’t be alarmed. The Muslims Against Crusaders came down to Weymouth once while making the documentary and have no plans to return.

“I don’t want the Weymouth community to feel as though we have a branch here or are recruiting here, it’s not true.

“The EDL have jumped on a bandwagon and blown it out of proportion.

“They are saying there are Islamic extremists in Weymouth and I’m just a bit worried.

“My main concern is that the Muslim community in Weymouth don’t have anything to do with us and I don’t want them to be caught up in anything.”

Ben wanted to make clear that not one member of the small Muslims Against Crusaders group is active in Weymouth.

He said: “If people hear it from me they might understand more and a few people might realise they’re blowing it out of proportion.

“I want to get the message out to people to calm down.”

Ben, who has received death threats, said that he felt responsible for people.

He said: “The EDL claim to just hate extremists, really they just hate Muslims.

“Any Muslim they will fight with.”

Ben said he was worried about the possibility of violence during the demo and said he didn’t want to see it happening in Weymouth.