Hate cleric Choudary set to be released in weeks

HATE preacher Anjem Choudary will be ‘watched like a hawk’ by MI5 and police when he is released from jail next month, the prisons minister promised last night.

Rory Stewart said the 51-yearold Islamist – Britain’s most notorious firebrand cleric – was a ‘genuinely dangerous’ threat who would be monitored closely to stop him inciting violence. Choudary, pictured, remained a ‘deeply pernicious, destabilising influence’ who would seek to stir up trouble.

The terror apologist, pictured, will be freed after serving half of a five-and-ahalf year jail sentence imposed in 2016 after he was convicted of drumming up support for Islamic State. He encouraged impressionable youngsters to follow IS by preaching on Twitter and Facebook, with links to YouTube sermons, and urged them to carry out terror attacks or become jihadists in Syria. His supporters included London Bridge attacker Khuram Butt and Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, who murdered Fusilier Lee Rigby in 2013. Choudary will be subject to strict licence conditions, including MI5 and police surveillance, satellite tracking and restrictions on his activities.

Prison rules mean he only serve half his sentence, and 140 days will be deducted due to time spent on bail under curfew. His release comes as Britain’s spy services are under huge pressure, with more than 500 ‘live’ operations.