TOUGHER measures are needed to prevent Neo-Nazi band Bound for Glory from ever re-entering the UK, according to a Forth Valley equality group.

The head of the Central Scotland Regional Equality Council (CSREC) will write to the home secretary Amber Rudd to demand the extremist group be given a permanent ban from the country.

Bound for Glory, from Minnesota in the United States, were scheduled to play a gig to around 500 people last Friday but the event was cancelled following a public outrage.

Though the location of the show was never disclosed, it is believed that it would take place somewhere on the outskirts of Falkirk.

Nevertheless, Michael Giannandrea, chair of CSREC, feels the presence of the band could prompt division in Clackmannanshire, Stirling and throughout the central belt.

Writing to Ms Rudd, he said: "Whilst CSREC commends the decision to cancel the performance, we are concerned that plans had been laid to allow the performance to take place, and that it would have proceeded as planned, had it not been for the intervention of elected representatives.

“In a modern, outward-looking society such as our own, there is no place for racial intolerance, and with that in mind, CSREC condemns the extremist and racist message put forward by the band in the strongest possible terms.”

He added: "[To] simply not allow the performance to go ahead is not sufficient. At a time when we should be working towards strengthened community cohesion and improvements in interracial community relations, to allow Bound for Glory to enter the United Kingdom risks creating divisions and inciting hatred between the groups which make up the rich multicultural fabric of our society.

“With that in mind, I must encourage you to adopt a permanent ban on allowing Bound for Glory and similar groups from entering the United Kingdom. Only in doing so can we be sure that they are prevented from spreading their extremist and racists views in our country.”