Ghaffur calls for Muslim 'preachers of hate' to be banned from television

FORMER senior Scotland Yard officer Tarique Ghaffur has called on Muslim leaders to seek a legal ban on extremists such as Anjem Choudary appearing in public or on television.

Mr Ghaffur, who was Britain's most senior Muslim police officer, said his religion had been "hijacked" by a small and unrepresentative extremist faction.

In a speech to Leicester University students last night, he said there needed to be urgent action to deal with the radicalisation of, and growing extremism in, Muslim communities. He said: "I was disgusted to see the scenes in Luton when a small minority hijacked the homecoming of British soldiers."

He said that, while people should not develop a sense of "negativity" towards new communities, the Muslim leadership should take action to prevent "the danger within their midst" with young people "operating under parental radar to commit or plan mass murder".

He called on the Muslim Council of Britain, an umbrella body for Muslims, to seek legal advice regarding Mr Choudary and "his small band of followers" as a matter or urgency.

He said: "The legal advice should explore possibilities whether any injunction could be brought in the interests of community safety and cohesion to ban them from appearing on mainstream television channels and public gatherings where they go about spreading hatred."

Mr Ghaffur also called for community panels run by Muslim Academics and theologists, which could "debrief people with warped views on Islam".