BRADFORD'S UKIP chairman has called for a protest planned in the city tomorrow night to be banned - but his comments were met with fierce criticism from rival politicians.

The multi-faith protest, due to take place at 7.30pm on Saturday in Centenary Square, has been organised after the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo returned to work, after masked men stormed its Paris offices and killed 12 people last week.

Organisers also believe Muslims are being victimised in the wake of the Paris attacks and hopes to highlight the hypocrisy of 'Freedom of Speech'.

Bradford West George Galloway MP (Respect) and faith leaders will be among the speakers.

More than 900 people have already expressed an interest in attending the protest, after liking the group's Facebook page, 'Our Prophet, Our Honour'.

But Jason Smith, who is also UKIP's candidate for Bradford South at May's general election, has blasted the plans.

He has raised his concerns with Bradford Council today in a bid to get the protest banned.

Council chiefs advised Mr Smith that they have not approved this protest but they had made the police aware.

Mr Smith said: “While I am a big advocate of freedom of speech, I have major reservations regarding this protest and its timing, which will take place just days after the funerals of the victims of the Paris shooting.

"I have raised my concern to Bradford Council that this is not only disrespecting the people who died in Paris but could potentially be very inflammatory.

"It could bring our city further in to disrepute both on the national and world stage.

"All Bradford communities should be protesting against the murders in Paris, not protesting against newspapers drawing satirical cartoons. "This will almost certainly be a disaster for Bradford’s reputation.”

Speaking about UKIP's call for a ban on the demonstration, Mr Galloway said: "This is an attempt to go against freedom of speech. This is a protest which remembers the dead in Paris but also raises concerns about the way that Muslims are particularly being denigrated.

"The meeting will go ahead as planned."

Bradford Council leader David Green said: "We have not been invited to approve the protest.

"This is not the only time that there has been an event in Centenary Square which has gone ahead without the council's approval.

"I can't see what Mr Smith's concerns are. He is trying to raise alarm and garner votes. It is a peaceful protest.

"Under freedom of speech, it's the right of people to express their heartfelt views."

Chief Inspector Suzanne Akeroyd, of Bradford District Police, said: "West Yorkshire Police has been informed of a proposal to hold an event tomorrow in Centenary Square, Bradford.

"Officers will be present to monitor this and ensure that people using Centenary Square are able to go about their business."