Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir will be BANNED in Britain under terror laws, James Cleverly announces

AN ISLAMIST extremist group will be officially BANNED in Britain, the Home Secretary has today announced.

James Cleverly is proscribing Hizb ut-Tahrir - a fundamentalist organisation that wants to unite Muslims under a caliphate. 

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A protest by Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain in LondonCredit: Rex

One of their recent protests in London caused alarm after a man was seen shouting “jihad jihad”.

And the leader of Hizb ut-Tahrir in Britain - Abdul Wahid - celebrated Hamas’ October 7 attack as a “welcome punch on the nose” for Israel. 

Proscribing a group under the 2000 Terrorism Act means it is an offence to belong to the organisation or express support for it.

Anyone caught supporting a proscribed group faces a maximum 14 years in prison in the most serious cases.

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Home Secretary, James Cleverly said: "Hizb ut-Tahrir is an antisemitic organisation that actively promotes and encourages terrorism, including praising and celebrating the appalling 7 October attacks.

“Proscribing this terrorist group will ensure that anyone who belongs to and invites supports for them will face consequences. It will curb Hizb ut-Tahrir’s ability to operate as it currently does.”

There are currently 79 terrorist organisations proscribed in the UK, including Hamas since 2021. 

Met Police cops investigated after Hizb ut-Tahrir’s demonstration in London last October following public outcry.

A Scotland Yard statement said: “They have reviewed a video from the Hizb ut-Tahrir protest in which a man can be seen to chant ‘jihad, jihad’.

“The word has a number of meanings but we know the public will most commonly associate it with terrorism.”

It said that “officers identified the man involved and spoke to him to discourage any repeat of similar chanting”.

In the wake of the Hamas’ murderous invasion of Israel Mr Wahid told a rally outside the Egyptian and Turkish embassies: “Victory is coming and everyone has to choose a side. Whose side are you going to be on?”