EDL leader brands Norway gunman Anders Breivik a ' horrible monster'

Stephen Lennon, leader of the English Defence League, described Breivik as a "horrible monster" today, saying the EDL condemned his "disgusting" actions.

"We are anti-fascists and condemn all violence," he told ITV's Daybreak.

When asked about Breivik's alleged links with the EDL, which have been scrutinised by the media, he added: "The media are cherry-picking what they want to fit their agenda and demonising our organisation.

"But there is a warning and what happened in Norway is a wake-up call. The fact that so many people are scared - people have to listen to that."

Lennon, 28, added: "What happened in Oslo shows how desperate some people are becoming in Europe.
"It's a ticking time bomb. If they don't give that frustration and anger a platform as such and a voice - and a way of getting emotion out in a democratic way - it will create monsters like this lunatic."

Lennon said he is in touch with regional EDL leaders to find out whether the gunman had contact with members of the group.

"It could turn out that one of our members met with him but at this point we're not turning anything up," he said.