Britain, citing 'public good', bans radical cleric Omar Bakri

Comments | AFP, August, 2005

LONDON (AFP) — Britain banned radical Islamist cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed, from entering the country nearly a week after he left for Lebanon, saying his presence was "not conducive to the public good".

"The home secretary (Charles Clarke) has issued an order revoking Omar Bakri Mohammed's indefinite leave to remain and to exclude him from the United Kingdom on the grounds that his presence is not conducive to the public good," a Home Office spokeswoman told AFP in London.

Bakri, who Thursday was detained by the Lebanese authorities, left for Beirut last Saturday amidst speculation that he might face charges over his hardline views in the aftermath of the London bombings last month.

He had told British media from Beirut that he intended to return to London,...