Radical Muslim cleric arrested in London on US warrant

Controversial Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri has been arrested today on an extradition warrant served by the US government.

It is understood that the US government wishes to question the 47-year-old about terror related offences.

Metropolitan police officers arrested him at 3am this morning at his home in West London and he was then taken to a central London police station. Anti-terrorist officers under the terms of the Extradition Act were searching the property this morning.

Abu Hamza is expected to appear before Bow Street Magistrates amid high security later today.

Hamza has continued to preach outside Finsbury Park Mosque, which has been closed for repairs since a police raid in January this year. He is reported to have advocated a Holy War and has expressed admiration for Osama bin Laden who he described as a "hero".

The Crown Prosecution Service have confirmed that police had submitted material that was being examined to see if charges would be brought in the UK against Hamza, but that the US extradition warrant, as it had been served first, would take precedence.

Home Secretary David Blunkett has stated that Egyptian-born Hamza, whose revoked British citizenship is subject to an appeal, should be returned to Yemen where he had previously served a jail term. His citizenship, gained under marriage, was reviewed under legislation rushed through to allow the deportation of immigrants whose actions "seriously prejudice" British interests.

The controversial cleric, who is missing an eye and a hand, claims that he lost them in the Mujahideen campaign against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Commenting on the arrest today, Muslim community representatives have appealed for British law to be "applied equally" to all UK citizens.

(SP)