A PRO-INDEPENDENCE rally and a Loyalist demonstration planned for the same landmark location on the same day have been banned amid police fears of clashes and disorder.
Glasgow City Council has taken the decision to deny Hope Over Fear, organised by supporters of former MSP Tommy Sheridan, permission for a rally in the city's George Square after another pro-Union group made a rival bid.
The authority said it had received advice from Police Scotland that the two events clashing could spark public order issues.
It said as a result it had declined both applications.
The Square witnessed ugly scenes on the evening of the referendum result after hundreds of Loyalists gathered, sparking disorder across the city centre.
The Herald understands the rival application had been made by a Lothians-based Loyalist who claimed 3000 people would be attending the event.
The applicant had requested a "Union Flag Day party to celebrate the first anniversary of the sovereign will of the people to remain in the United Kingdom".
The Hope Over Fear event was due to conclude at 5pm, with the other rally commencing an hour later.
However, police made clear that although there was no overlap having two events with rival standpoints created an issue and that as there would be inevitable sensitivities over granting one and not the other it was preferable for both to be declined.
Police Scotland informed the city council there would be a "significant risk or potential for disorder" if both went ahead. The decision to decline was then taken by council officers, rather than any politicians.
But in a message to supporters, Mr Sheridan has called for defiance of the ban and urged them to gather in George Square on September 19 to mark the first anniversary of the independence referendum.
Blaming the Labour administration in the city for the decision, he said: "We call on the Yes community across Scotland to converge on the square, Freedom Square, to listen to the live music, the inspiring speeches, wave our flags and show the world we are still Yes and we seek a second referendum as soon as practically possible and politically unavoidable.
"Get there by train, bus, bike or car but lets collectively defy the Labour unionists on Glasgow City Council and demand our right to rally and our right to freedom."
The Herald also understands the council would be powerless to act if Mr Sheridan's supporters did gather and that any action would have to be carried out by the police,
A previous Hope Over Fear rally in April was also refused permission to use George Square by the council, which said the bid was turned down after two separate applications were made by different parts of the group. However, it went ahead.
A council spokesman said: “Two different groups both asked to use George Square to hold separate rallies on September 19 this year.
“After taking advice from police, who raised public order concerns, we have decided to decline both requests to use George Square on this date.”
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "We did have some concerns about both events proceeding on the same day and made some initial observations to Glasgow City Council to that effect.
"The final decision for the event lies with Glasgow City Council."
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