Hamza 'took over mosque'

Sheikh Abu Hamza praised Osama Bin Laden

Radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri abused his position to preach extremist political views from a north London mosque, the Charity Commission has found.

Many moderate worshippers stopped attending Friday prayers at the Finsbury Park mosque after trustees lost control to the Egyptian-born cleric, says the Commission.

Its report into the removal of Mr Abu Hamza from the mosque, which has been closed since a police raid in January, was published on Tuesday.

The commission first investigated Mr Abu Hamza after allegations its trustees were too intimidated to attend prayer meetings, oversee collections or make necessary repairs to their premises.

Officers found Mr Abu Hamza's supporters had taken over and moved into the mosque.

We hope the mosque's trustees can begin afresh and rebuild its reputation

Charity Commission report

The report also criticised a sermon given in October 2001 after military action began in Afghanistan as being "of such an extreme and political nature as to conflict with the charitable status of the mosque".

After Mr Abu Hamza's initial suspension he continued his political activities including organising a "highly inflammatory and political conference" without the authority of the trustees.

His praise for Osama bin Laden and comments that the American shuttle disaster was a "punishment from Allah" have assured him a high media profile.

The commission found his actions and comments were "detrimental to the interests and reputation of the North London Central Mosque Trust (NLCMT)".

Deportation challenged

The report concluded: "The commission hopes that the trustees of NLCMT can now begin afresh, rebuild its reputation and ensure that the mosque flourishes for the benefit of the Muslim community at large."

The radical cleric was initially suspended from the mosque in April 2002 but flouted the ban for another year.

He was eventually removed after police raided the mosque in January 2003 and handed control of the building back to its trustees.

The mosque has since been closed for repair although Mr Abu Hamza has continued to lead prayers outside the building.

He is appealing against his deportation which has been ordered by Home Secretary David Blunkett.