RADICAL preacher Anjem Choudary was arrested at his east London home as part of a police investigation into suspected terrorism offences, reported The Telegraph.
The country's most prominent Islamic preacher, Choudary, 56, was arrested in a dawn raid on Monday (17), the report added.
Counter terrorism detectives also arrested a second man at Heathrow airport who had just landed in the country from Canada.
According to the report, they were held on suspicion of being members of a banned organisation in contravention of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Police conducted searches of three addresses in east London and the two men remained in custody.
“Counter terrorism detectives have arrested two men as part of an investigation into suspected terrorism offences. The officers arrested a 56-year-old man from east London in the area at approximately 05.40hrs this morning, Monday, 17 July," the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.
“They arrested a 28-year-old Canadian national at Heathrow airport at approximately 12.35hrs, after he arrived on a flight from Canada. Both were arrested on suspicion of membership of a proscribed organisation, contrary to section 11 of the Terrorism Act 2000 [and] are currently being held under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000, at a west London police station.
“Police searches of three addresses in east London are ongoing.”
In January, Choudary in a blog post condemned the Duke of Sussex for his admission he had killed 25 Taliban fighters while serving in Afghanistan.
At the time, Tory MP Tobias Ellwood alleged that Choudary was using Prince Harry’s admissions to 'ratchet up hate'.
Choudary, a lawyer by training, was convicted in 2016 of one terror charge of inviting support for the Daesh (Islamic State group) and given a five and a half year jail term. He had denied any wrongdoing.
He was released in 2018 on strict licensing terms that prevented him speaking in public on sensitive matters or even talking to journalists. Those restrictions were lifted in 2021.
Choudary led several extremist groups, including al-Muhajiroun, which were banned under counterterrorism laws enacted after the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York and the July 7, 2005 bombings in London.
Several terrorists who were convicted in the UK, including those responsible for the murder of off-duty soldier Lee Rigby, had affiliations with either al-Muhajiroun or its affiliated organisations.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)