The event is organised by the Islamic Human Rights Commission, which the Metropolitan Police said was supportive of Iran’s clerical rulers.

The police said banning the march was necessary to prevent “extreme tensions” between marchers and counter-protesters.

The ban also applies to any counter-protest marches.

The threshold to ban a protest is high in Britain. The police said it was the first time the power had been invoked in 14 years, but described the risk of public disorder as “severe”.

The annual Al Quds march had been scheduled to take place on Sunday.

The march organisers condemned the ban and said they were seeking legal advice.