BRITAIN: Radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri will face terrorism charges in Britain it was confirmed last night.
The decision by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) risked a high-level disagreement with the US authorities, since legal action against Hamza in Britain will take precedence - effectively putting on hold attempts to extradite him to the United States.
It was reported yesterday that the Bush administration has been pressing Britain not to block Hamza's extradition by bringing charges against him under the Terrorism Act. However the CPS believes there is sufficient basis to charge him under Britain's anti-terror laws, and the British authorities have signalled that their investigation of the controversial cleric pre-dated American interest in him.
Hamza (47), who is in the high security Belmarsh Prison awaiting the US extradition proceedings, may not discover until next week the precise charges to be preferred against him. Scotland Yard would only say last night: "We can confirm that this afternoon the Metropolitan Police received advice, regarding a 47-year-old man, from the CPS which we are currently considering."
The former imam of Finsbury Park Mosque has always denied any involvement in terrorism, while the US extradition warrant alleges that he provided support to al-Qaeda-inspired terrorists either through finance, recruitment or logistics.
The CPS decision announced yesterday required the prior consent of the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, acting both as legal adviser to the government and guardian of the public interest. His decision required only that he was satisfied that there was sufficient evidence to charge the handless, one-eyed cleric. And the US authorities have been advised that ministers, including the Attorney General, cannot interfere in criminal investigations and decisions on whether to bring a prosecution in the United Kingdom.
It is believed Hamza would prefer to face a trial in Britain. A full extradition hearing involving lawyers for the US government was due to start on Tuesday but will now be stayed.