Banned hate preacher fights deportation

Court battle: Raed Salah's lawyer says his human rights may have been breached
12 April 2012

A banned Islamic extremist who entered Britain unchallenged may remain in the country for years after launching a bid to fight deportation.

Raed Salah embarrassed the Government at the weekend when he passed through immigration controls at Heathrow airport days after Home Secretary Theresa May barred him.

The hate preacher - described in the House of Commons as "virulently anti-Semitic" - addressed two meetings of British Muslims before he was arrested late on Tuesday night. He was invited by a group of Left-wing Labour MPs.

Now Mr Salah, who is in custody in Colnbrook immigration centre, is contesting Ms May's decision in the British courts. The cleric's lawyer, Tayab Ali, said: "The Secretary of State felt the deportation of my client was conducive to the public good.

We feel that this case is without merit and may breach several of my client's human rights including his Article 10 right to freedom of expression.

"This is a really interesting case to British Muslims as it will show them where their government draws the line over acceptable interpretations of Islam."

Asked how long the process could take, Mr Ali replied: "It could be over tomorrow but it could take years."

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